Gunkanjima (Hashima Island)

Gunkanjima, also known as Hashima Island, is a small, abandoned island off Japan's coast that was once a bustling coal mining community. Its nickname, meaning "Battleship Island," comes from its silhouette resembling a warship. From 1890 to 1974, it was densely populated with workers living in concrete apartment blocks. When Japan shifted to petroleum and coal mining declined, the island was deserted. Today, Gunkanjima is a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering a haunting glimpse into Japan's industrial past with its crumbling buildings and ghostly atmosphere. It symbolizes rapid post-war economic growth and subsequent decline.