Wednesday, April 9, 2014

A Visit To Hashima Island @ Nagasaki - Japan

The weather was cold & gloomy during our visit to Japan in Spring as it was under 10 degrees on most days. However, it was a perfect weather when we made our way to Nagasaki to catch a boat to tour the famous ghost island - Hashima Island. So many movies have been filmed there including the current Thai horror movie - "Project Hashima" and also the James Bond's.



 1. We took a 2 hour fast train from Fukuoka City in the morning and jumped onto a tram to reach this part of Nagasaki's town. This quaint town has been beautifully rebuilt from ashes and everyone here lives in a peace loving community.





2. We had to book our boat tickets online before leaving Kuala Lumpur and signed after reading their long list of "Do's & Don'ts" as they fully protect this heritage island which has a rich history. We walked to their sales counters to collect our actual tickets and paid 3,600 Yen each. This lovely harbour lies along the port of Nagasaki.




3. Our cruise boat arrived at last and so many local Japanese from other towns boarded too. 




4. The double decker boat sped off very fast and the cold wind was nice! Far behind are the luxury homes that line the rolling hills of Nagasaki with their windows overlooking the ocean.





5. My wifey posed confidently like a Royal Princess of Nagasaki at the East of China sea. There are 505 uninhabited islands in Nagasaki Prefecture alone!



6. Most of the visitors remained on the upper deck to enjoy the sea breeze and panoramic view. 
They looked like penguins as they could stand the extremes of cold wind!
We both humanoid mammals had to retire inside the cabin below as we were frozen like ice cubes.



7. They had 2 young hotties taking turns to explain the whole journey to the visitors in Japanese language. Mitsubishi bought this island in 1890 and started to conduct undersea mines at the surrounding areas for coal until the 1960s when petroleum overtook the coal industry.



8. This lady was bored to death and went to sleep.



9. We finally arrived the Hashima Island after 30 minutes across the blue seas.It is also called Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) due to its shape. This island's peak population reached a total of 5,259 people and they consisted of Japanese and forced labourers from China & Korea.




10. This very young guy with a hat is a friendly Japanese who kindly offered to take our photographs with our camera!




11. The boat lowered its ramp for us to walk around the ghost island.





12. They barricaded many areas off for the safety of tourists.



 

13. This crew gentleman was so kind and helpful to explain to us by pointing at the photos using sign languages. I really love the Japanese people as they have the best customer services in the world!




14. Their tour guides conducted several stops and briefings to share about the island's history.
There were apartment blocks, school, canteens, look out towers and even a swimming pool before the island was deserted. Everything started to fall apart on its own from the serious damages of typhoons and sea erosion.




15. I thought no dogs or pets were allowed to visit.




  


16. This is a friendly couple from United Kingdom who are both deaf & mute using sign languages & lip reading. When she "heard" that I am from Malaysia, she replied me with flying hands - "Oh that missing aeroplane!!!!!!" OMG!




17. It was an amazing sight to see how the nature's wind and water could inflict so much damages to rip the walls and pillars apart.




18. This lady was funny and took so many long zoom shots. 
She was sure she saw a UFO!






19. For the first time, I saw so many birds that looked like eagles or hawks hovering above.





20, You can see the thick concrete walls that were built to protect the buildings. Nothing can ever beat the powers of natures lashing storms and disasters. The buildings and its floors still dropped down mysteriously.






21. Now she claimed that Ultra Man flew past Hashima Island too!





22. There is a new light house that sits atop to guide passing ships at night.





23. We had a really great time to explore all the cracks and history of Nagasaki. It's truly a wonderful country with the most polite and gentle people on earth that makes their country even more beautiful.




24. Do you agree that it looks like a Battleship Island? Hope you enjoyed this simple post.



I am in the midst of preparing to blog the following:

1. Kumamoto Castle   2. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum   
3. Samurai Hosogawa's Mansion   4. Ohori Park's Night Sakura
5. Tenjin's Underground City   6. Hakata Station
7. Hotel's Onsen Bath   8. Nagasaki Peace Park
9. Japanese Wedding   10. Temples in Gion
11. Japanese Doll Making & Folks Stage Play
12. Sofukuji Temple Nagasaki
13. Others





66 comments:

  1. OMG, I'm laughing la at most of your remarks..Especially on the someone who was bored and went to sleep, the "pet" hair, haha, naughty you and also the lady who took pictures of UFo and Ultraman.. You are so funny la..

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    1. This post is very interesting, thanks for sharing this.. Very detailed expaliantion, haha, including the woman who was bored and decided to sleep all the way..

      What are the do’s and don’ts of the heritage island? Share a few la.. I’m sure you have some weird and interesting stories to tell based on a few do’s or don’ts..

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    2. How did travelling in a double decker boat feel? I travelled in a speed boat when I was in Krabi and that suck.. Felt giddy and the whole journey was bumpy.. That was during my honeymoon in 2009.. Lucky no pregnant.. If pregnant also become no pregnant liao coz the speed boat was bumping as if they are travelling on rocks.. Gawd..

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    3. The woman who was bored and fell asleep looks like a local.. Maybe she is just taking a stroll in the island and have heard the stories over and over again many time.. So she decided to sleep this time..

      Hahaha, that “dog” or “pet” picture you took, hey, she knows you were taking her picture? Cheeky you.. Coz normally if you take pictures, your camera will have that “zhak zhak” sound ma.. I wonder what if she turned over.. Then maybe will bite you into pieces, Grrrooaarrrrr !!! Hahahaha..

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    4. The lady who took many long zoom shots, you didn’t offer to help meh? Maybe she was trying to take a certain angle, but asyik tak dapat.. You know girls ger la.. Even me.. If I snap pictures (using my camera), I also snap snap snap like nobody’s business, then only slowly choose or delete the pictures later, kekekeke..

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    5. OMG, you are so funny with the Ultraman statement.. You should have asked Ultraman to stop a while and take your picture.. Or take a picture with him, LOL..

      Nice couple picture you have there by the way, more juicy posts coming up, yay !!

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    6. The mob of doggie hair belonged to the woman's hubby! The sound of the winds was strong and could drown any sound. BTW I just used my silent camera of Samsung S3 cos I accidentally left my camera inside the locker at the harbour.

      The boat was surprisingly smooth sailing as I had expected it to be rough until I giddy and vomit. I had bad experience taking those bigger boats to Langkawi and HKG- Macau.

      Thanks for your more funny comments....!!!

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    7. I mentioned to you earlier right Anay that there used to be an Ultraman theme park in Kumamoto. :-)

      Delete
  2. Can tell the weather is just nice over there!

    Well, guess Malaysia is very famous now ever since the missing flight!

    And looks like you have very well organized travelogue, looking forward to read about those places!!

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    1. Yeah we are famous for wrong reasons and I am so sad. Hope the Search Teams will foind something soon. Thanks for coming by to read.

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  3. You know Anay, there's a group of people who loves going aroubd Japan finding deserted places like this to explore. I forgot what they are called.

    But your trip reminded me of them.

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    1. I do notice that Japan has lots of unique people. Maybe I am one of those you described because none of my friends share my weird sight seeing interests. They just love to shop, shop and shop by taxis & trains... Walking? They surrender.

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    2. I remember now.

      It's called "haikyo"

      The photos they took of these abandoned places are simply amazing

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    3. A link to one of those enthusiasts site : http://www.totorotimes.com/urban-exploration/best-haikyo-2012/ :-)

      Check out No. 1

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    4. To me, it's not weird. Just not mainstream. ;-)

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    5. OMG! you are so brilliant and well read! I am amazed to see the link and had instant goose bumps! Honestly, I am a confirmed Haikyo cos I always wandered into eerie and haunted houses since young. At least you have proven that I am normal and not alone. We haiyos get thrills from unknown. Bwakakakakak

      I must start snapping photos like that.

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    6. They're interesting right? & I bet Anay will get "residents" wanting to befriend him while on haikyos. Bwahaha

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  4. So embarrassing, out country get famous because of it!!! =[

    Yes, it does look like battleship island, and it's so cool!!!

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    Replies
    1. Well humans have short memory and I hope all will be restored to normal soon. The anxiety and pain is dragging too long now. Hope you will visit this island someday.

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  5. At least it's the missing plane now...and it has drawn away all the attention from that abduction case at the island in Sabah - reputed to be the most beautiful in the world. Last time, it was either drugs...or terrorists...or sodomy!

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    Replies
    1. We often got famous for the wrong reasons and that's scary. I had to postpone my trip to Dunhuang for fear of being tormented. I love Sabah but had never visited their beautiful islands as I was hiking up the Mt. Kinabalu then. The hike drained my energy. How many beautiful islands did you visit in Sabah? Show and tell please.

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  6. Good afternoon TM, hot weather in Singapore...

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    Replies
    1. Bored to death, if me, i will have enjoy the ride...

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    2. Expecting to see your cute pose, but was disappointed no cute pose of you...

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    3. It is cool here today and hope the hot sun stays in Singapore while the rain comes here only. We need water la.

      Want cute photos? Wait la char bor........ even babies need to wait 9 months to arrive. LOL

      Delete
  7. WooHoo finally a nice post I can read and enjoy looking over your funny photos....Got UFO and Ultraman too.

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    1. I smell fresh air here rather than fart post at SK there....Muahahaha............

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  8. Lol....That's an humorous post ! I like the cool wind too and how nice if I can experience it. Btw , I thought I see a blonde instead of dog ? Lol .... anyway, thanks for sharing.

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  9. Hahaha! You make me roll on the floor with your funny post, Tan! I've not been to this part of Japan yet......

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  10. wow, Japan is indeed beautiful. I would be busy snapping away photos too if I were there. Btw, that's a loving photo of both of you. All your photos are so bright and beautiful!

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  11. 1. Thant is reall fast leh.

    the trams makes me think of San Fran

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  12. 2. they really very serious in protecting the island ya. Not like here hangat hangat tahi ayam

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  13. 7. photo covered half the face already leh cannot see is it hotties or not. Ahem....can see they are very proud of their national language

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  14. 8. wrong la....maybe that lady like J....save enegry ...wait arrive there and become Duracell bunny

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  15. 11. The place really look like ghost island but then well maintained.

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  16. 15 ...LOL....Chicnes say Kam si mau...Golden fur cat

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  17. 16....looks like we are famous over the world for the wrong reasons

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  18. 18. LOL....maybe got naked male up there...superman?

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  19. hello my dear Anay!! finally you are blogging about your recent trip to Japan, good that you went at the right timing for the nice weather.. cooling weather makes the trip nicer and all the walking less tiring.. hmmm, i've never heard of this Hashima before this post, not even watched the movies too!! how jakun~~

    #1: indeed the Japanese has rebuilt their cities in an almost unbelievable speed, i think that is most probably due to their patriotism to the country.. and i love this bus so colorful and striking!! :)

    #2: good that many tickets can be bought outside Japan before you travel to the place huh?? love this harbour, it looks great!! and the junk parking there is just so beautiful..

    #3: nice to be going together with the local Japanese rather than people from around the world, especially those loud-speaking nations, huh?? :D

    #4: wow, windows overlooking the ocean!! that would be nice, and i wonder if Anay had a chance to stay in one of those houses or hotels?? are those rich people's houses that line the rolling hills facing the ocean??

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    1. #5: ah, pretty Letchumy there.. and it must be so cooling sitting there to enjoy the breeze and fresh air we surely won't be able to breathe while living in KL..

      #6: muahahaha, just as i was mentioning how Letchumy and Anay were enjoying the sea breeze, you now say after pretending for cool poses, you cannot stand the coldness and had to retire inside the cabin.. aiyoyo.. i thought Anay and Letchumy were chasing after each other on the open-air upperdeck like Bollywood stars..

      #7: ah!! they even arranged people to explain the journey?? but i guess i Anay and Letchumy were there to enjoy the view of the 2 young hotties rather than listening to what they were saying?? should have made some Japanese friends on the cruise, telling them you don't understand Japanese would be a nice move, and then they would translate that for you both.. :)

      #8: muahahaha!! i thought these ladies were just trying to take some rest and not really bored?? :p

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    2. #9: oh yeah, familiar facts that i've read through when Anay told me about this place.. i sort of googled it and read it's brief history on wikipedia.. interesting island it is..

      #10: oh, did you take turns to take photos together with this kind Japanese guy who offered to take photos of you?? i won't miss the chance if given, because taking photos with a local is something nice IMHO~ :p

      #11: ooopss, i hope the sea wasn't rocky and everyone can just walk down the ramp smoothly.. :)

      #12: ah, two ang moh joining the trip too!!

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    3. #13: oh yeah, i do find the Japanese people very polite and friendly.. though language could be the barrier, but they are still very helpful and tried to offer as much help as possible.. many Malaysians who saw tourists from afar, would have already run away before the tourists see them!! :D

      #14: you mentioned "Their tour guides".. so did you join a group or you went on yourself?? but i think the smart thing to do when you go to some tourist spots is to follow a group of tourists, and then listen to what the tour guide tell his/her group - free tour that is!! :D

      #15: muahahaha!! you are so mean.. that was so obviously not the hair of a dog dei~~ Anay, it's time for you to get a new pair of specs!! :p

      #16: i guess Malaysia is very famous now because of that missing aeroplane incident.. they see or read about the news everyday presumably.. so one of them was actually mistaken by Anay as a dog when you only saw his/her hair?? :D

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    4. #17: one certainly cannot look down at the power of the nature!! we humans are definitely minute compared to the nature.. this universe is so vast dei..

      #18: hahaha!! she is a few tourists that i ever seen carrying such a big lens.. but then, well, if she has got it then why leave it at home?? this could be the one and only trip she would ever do, agree?? somemore the photos are all digital, fret not taking as much as we could.. similarly, if it was like 20 years ago, Anay may not have taken a shot of this lady too - photo films are expensive!! :D

      #19: YEAH!! an UFO!! were you being invited to get into the UFO, where you were sucked by a stream of lights into the ship.. and then had a nice tea with the aliens?? ah, any photos to show us?? i wonder how the aliens look like, or perhaps they look like Anay indeed?? :p

      #20: yeah, it has been abandoned for so many years, and laying alone quietly in the ocean, the buildings surely face more damages by mother nature.. and probably because of all these ruins and wreckage that make this whole island more unique and interesting to tourists?? :)

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    5. #21: oh, the same lady again!! why was Anay stalking her?? hmmm, something fishy lah~~

      #22: muahahahaha!! you were lucky dei!! you saw Ultraman flying on the sky!! but not so lucky because you didn't see Doraemon and Nobita flying together in the sky using their take-kopter!! :p

      #23: awwww, nice and sweet photo!! i like this, both Anay and Letchumy look good in the photo.. beautiful background and the color of your clothes also did a nice contract against the blue ocean.. who took the photo for you?? the lady with the huge lens, the Japanese guy or the couple from UK you mistakenly thought they were dogs?? :D

      #24: simple post?? errr, not simple at all lah.. see my comments, how many words already?? haha.. but that also means Thambee enjoyed reading Anay's travelogue lah, always so pleasant to read, interetingly written with a balance mixture of stories and nonsenses!! :)

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    6. wow, 13 more places to blog about!! so many places Anay went lah, and i saw some very interesting topic like Japanese Wedding and Doll Making.. one post for each of those or a couple for each of those?? wah, looks like this two months will be reading only the Japan trip on the blog~~ :p

      okay, signing off with love for this 1000-word nenek moyang kebayan karangan.. have a great weekend dei!! :)

      Delete
    7. yalah, if not someone will merajuk say i boycott this blog lah.. must comment kaw kaw to show my sincerity!!

      Delete
  20. I love reading your Japan trip report! I'm just jealous, because you know what?! I've never been to Kyushu! :(

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  21. Unas fotos estupendas... Muy bonitas... Un saludo desde Murcia.

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  22. i just finishd watching Project Hashima. Any language barrier in Japan?

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  23. Hi! I enjoyed your tour posts in Japan. Hashima is famous as 軍艦島 for Japanese.I do not know why this island is called 軍艦島。 I have never been there.  Thanks for sharing.

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  24. Wow! Everything looks so amazing! :)

    I'll love to go to Japan too, that was the plan before we decided to come to Europe. Will save up for Japan after reading your posts!

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  25. i didnt travel that far - only as far as Hiroshima...kena bombed also

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  26. I definitely will not fall asleep because the explainer is so leng zai!

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  27. love going on boats and ferries!!!

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  28. I have always wanted to visit Japan. But do not know if I have the opportunity or not.

    LOL ! UFO and ultraman pun ada ka....... and that blonde hair. U very naughty.

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