Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), is a historic former coal mining island near Nagasaki, Japan, renowned for its abandoned industrial ruins and UNESCO World Heritage status. Visits are strictly guided via authorized boat tours departing from Nagasaki, as independent access is prohibited and dangerous due to deteriorating structures; tours provide the only accessibility to designated safe paths. Tours are highly weather-dependent, with frequent cancellations due to rough seas, particularly during typhoon season and winter, so checking forecasts and booking flexible options is crucial. The approximate cost for a tour ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 JPY per person, plus a mandatory 100 JPY landing fee, with the typical visit duration being 2.5 to 3 hours in total, including boat travel and about 45-60 minutes on the island itself. It's advisable to book tours in advance, wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared for potential seasickness, offering a unique photographic opportunity of a dystopian landscape with a complex history.