HASHIMA ISLAND, JAPAN
2001
Mid-century Japanese history never spoke much about Gunkanjima Island, an abandoned outpost 15km off the coast of Nagasaki.
Established in 1887 as a treasure for coal mining manufacturing, the 15-acre island's population reached its peak of 5,259 - one of the highest population densities ever recorded. As petroleum gradually replaced coal in the post-WWII era, Gunkanjima was evacuated in 1974, leaving behind a ghost city untouched and off-limits for 35 years.
HASHIMA ISLAND, JAPAN
2001
Mid-century Japanese history never spoke much about Gunkanjima Island, an abandoned outpost 15km off the coast of Nagasaki.
Established in 1887 as a treasure for coal mining manufacturing, the 15-acre island's population reached its peak of 5,259 - one of the highest population densities ever recorded. As petroleum gradually replaced coal in the post-WWII era, Gunkanjima was evacuated in 1974, leaving behind a ghost city untouched and off-limits for 35 years.