Ikeshima

Ikeshima (池島), also known as Ike Island, is a small island in Nagasaki, Japan.

Understand

Ikeshima from above

The last open-pit coal mine in Japan, Ikeshima housed nearly 10,000 people at its peak, but closed down in 2001. A little over 100 people are left now, mostly tending to a nascent tourist industry of people visiting the ruins.

The island is often compared to nearby Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) of James Bond fame, but is far less well known and, as a (barely) living community, is much more freely accessible. The mine areas are still marked off and can legally only be accessed on guided tours.

Tourist information site

Nagasaki City has a separate Japanese-only guide site for the sea area including Ikeshima.

Get in

The island is served by 7 daily ferries from Konoura port (神浦港) and 6 from Seto port (瀬戸港), a frankly absurd level of subsidized service given the tiny population. Fares range from ¥370-570 and travel times from 10-26 minutes depending on the ship, see the above guide site for schedules.

Both ports can be reached by bus from central Nagasaki, but you will need to transfer at Sakuranosato Terminal (桜の里ターミナル) and the trip will take at least 1.5 hours.

Get around

There is one bus route on Ikeshima, starting near the ferry terminal and ending near the far west of the island. However, Ikeshima is small and can be easily traversed by foot.

See

Ruined apartment buildings

The main/only reason to visit the island is the "ruin porn" of seeing abandoned or semi-abandoned buildings slowly being taken over by nature.

Do

• Mine tour. Two-hour tours of mine, two times a day, including a ride on the mine "trolley" train. Intended for Japanese speakers. Book at least one day in advance. ¥3170/1580 adult/child, plus ¥900 for a "miner's bento" for morning tours only.. (updated Feb 2023)

Eat

• Kaachan no Mise (かあちゃんの店). "Mommy's Shop" is the only public eatery on the island. (updated Feb 2023)

Sleep

There is exactly one place to sleep on the island, and it's not much. Most visitors opt to day-trip from Nagasaki.

• Ikeshima Chuo Kaikan (池島中央会館). Spartan lodging at the community hall. ¥3446/night, no meals. (updated Feb 2023)