Ever since watching the Thai movie "Haunted Island," I'd been very curious about Gunkanjima. This time, I finally had the chance to set foot on the island, and it really felt like a movie scene had come to life!
Luckily, the day I visited happened to be one of the days with a **Chinese-speaking guide (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)**. Listening to the commentary along the way helped me better understand the island's story.
Before the boat even docked, I could see the island's densely packed, abandoned large buildings from a distance. After landing and seeing the crumbling ruins, at first glance it was really easy to think this was some kind of postwar site.
But it actually isn't.
It has been about 50 years since Gunkanjima's residents left. The island was once very prosperous, and **about two-thirds of its area was later expanded through land reclamation**. After years of erosion from typhoons, sea winds, and rain, it gradually became the abandoned yet historic-looking place it is today.
The area you can actually visit isn't very large, and you can't get a full view of the entire island from there. So when we left, we had the boat **circle the island once counterclockwise and once clockwise**. With commentary in Chinese and Japanese, we were also able to see the areas we'd missed while on the island.
Overall, it was very worthwhile.
Standing among these ruins, it's hard to imagine that so many people lived here 50 years ago and that it even had such complete amenities.
Gunkanjima (Hashima Island) | Review by 王小鈞
Other Reviews by 王小鈞
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Pabron
The “Pabron” brand of medicine, produced by Taisho Pharmaceuticals, is one of Japan’s most common cold medicines.
Every time I go to Japan, my family almost always asks me to bring back a box of “Taisho Pabron.” It’s a classic household cold medicine in Japan and has long been trusted by many Japanese families. On this trip to Japan, I discovered that the familiar packaging had gotten a makeover! The newly upgraded PRU version has a more modern package, but it’s still the same familiar brand.
For us, it’s not just medicine—it’s more like a “go-to souvenir” we bring home whenever we visit Japan. -
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Tochoji Temple (Fukuoka)
Tochoji Temple, located in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, is a Shingon Sect temple said to have been first opened by the famous monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) upon his return to Japan after completing his training in the Tang Dynasty. The official name of the temple is "Tochoji Temple," which was named by Kukai with the meaning "so that esoteric Buddhism may be transmitted eastward for a long time”.
When visiting Hakata, besides shopping and enjoying the food, I also highly recommend visiting these two historic temples and shrines.
The most impressive feature of Tochoji Temple is the Fukuoka Daibutsu. Admission to the Great Buddha Hall is JPY 100. The 10.8-meter-tall wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is solemn and magnificent, and looking up at it from close range is truly awe-inspiring. Photography is not allowed inside the hall, so you can only admire it quietly, which makes the peaceful atmosphere even more noticeable.
Behind the Great Buddha Hall is a special “Hell and Paradise Pilgrimage.” You go from a bright area into a dark passageway, with scenes of hell depicted on the walls. Walking the entire route feels very immersive.
After visiting Tochoji Temple, walk to Kushida Shrine in Hakata Gion to experience the history of Hakata’s guardian shrine and its traditional festival culture. The two attractions are not far apart, making them perfect for a leisurely visit on the same day while taking in Hakata’s historic charm. -
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Lake Ikeda
Located in the southeastern part of the Satsuma Peninsula, Lake Ikeda is the largest lake in Kyushu, boasting a circumference of 15 km and a depth of 233 meters. Formed over 5,000 years ago through volcanic activity, it took shape after six major eruptions in the surrounding area, eventually becoming the caldera lake it is today.
This time, I visited Kyushu's famous caldera lake. The lake is vast, surrounded by mountains and natural scenery, and looks magnificent even from a distance.
The lake was formed by a volcanic eruption about 5,700 years ago. It has a circumference of about 15 kilometers and reaches a maximum depth of 233 meters, making it one of Kyushu's most iconic lakes.
What surprised me most was that we arrived just in time for sunset. As the sun slowly set over the lake, the entire surface turned golden. It was so beautiful that I couldn't stop taking pictures. -
