Visit Hashima Nagasaki JAPAN, the Model of Dead City
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A model of the "Dead City" in Skyfall 007
007 (sky)falls for Nagasaki's Hashima Island in new movie.
In the 50th anniversary James Bond hit film Skyfall, the villain MI6 agent, Raoul Silva, has his hideout in the “Dead City,” a deserted island filled with abandoned buildings. However, this secret hideout is not just a fantasy movie studio set; it actually exists in the real world. The island is called Hashima and it is in Nagasaki, Japan.
In the Summer of 2011, Skyfall’s special effects photographer and location manager Stefan Lange visited and shot photographs of Hashima with the assistance of the Nagasaki Film Commission and Nagasaki City. Although the actual shooting of the film didn’t happen on the island for safety reasons, a panoramic image of Hashima was used for the scene when Daniel Craig as James Bond is on a vessel toward the Dead City. With the inspiration of Hashima, a set of the Dead City was created in London as a secret lair floating off of the coast of Macau filled with derelict concrete buildings, to house Raoul Silva, the villain of the movie played by Javier Bardem.
According to the Nagasaki Film Commission, who also joined in the search for movie locations, Mr. Lange became very excited the closer he got to Hashima. He was heard to say, "I've never seen a place like this. It is exactly like a movie set." The pictures taken that day are included in the slide show on this site.
Hashima, Nagasaki JAPAN
Hashima, under the nickname of Gunkanjima in Japanese (Battleship Island) due to its unique silhouette, is located just off the coast of Nagasaki City. This small island is now getting world-wide attention for its incredible, picturesque value, breathtaking scale, and architectural historic importance as a relic of industrialization. The island recently has been added to a list of proposed UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Hashima flourished in 1890 when it was used for Mitsubishi’s coal mining. At that time it had the highest population density rate in the world.In 1974, when the coal mine closed, the island became completely uninhabited and deserted. In 2009, Hashima was reopened to the public. With ten sightseeing tour boats departing from Nagasaki City every day, tourists can enjoy a 50-minute scenic boat cruise and a 45-minute walking tour of this historic island.
- Tour cruises to Hashima:
- Gunkanjima Concierge
- Gunkanjima Cruise
- --Other Related Information about Skyfall and Hashima--
- ・Press Release and Articles:
- Japan Provides Inspiration for Villain Hide Out in Skyfall by JNTO UK,
- The Mystery Island From ‘Skyfall’ And How You Can Go There by Forbes.
- “Bond in Japan” tour by Inside Japan Tours and to Hashima, Nagasaki.
- -Foreign films and art creation featuring Hashima ( in Cooperation with Nagasaki Film Commission):
- ・French magazine “ESPACE JAPON” by Davis Arnald, 2010,
- ・Australian Broadcasting Corporation “Foreign Correspondent”, 2009,
- ・Documentary Film “Sayonara-Hashima” by German Creator Unit: Nina Fischer & Maroan el Sani 2008.
Access Infomation
Directions to Nagasaki
- -International Flights to Nagasaki
- ・Shanghai --- 1 hour 35 minutes
- ・Seoul --- 1 hour 25 minutes
- -Domestic Flights to Nagasaki
- ・Tokyo (Haneda Airport) --- 1 hour 50 minutes
- ・Nagoya --- 1 hour 25 minutes
- ・Osaka (Itami Airport, Kansai Airport, Kobe Airport) --- 1 hour 15 minutes
- ・Okinawa (Naha Airport) --- 1 hour 30 minutes
- *From Nagasaki Airport to JR Nagasaki Station---40 minutes by bus
- *From Fukuoka Airport to JR Nagasaki Station---2 hours 20 minutes by bus
- -Trains to Nagasaki Station
- ・Tokyo Station --- 7 hours
- ・Kyoto Station --- 4 hours 50 minutes
- ・Osaka Station --- 4 hours 30 minutes
- ・Hiroshima Station --- 3 hours
- ・Fukuoka(Hakata) Station --- 1 hour 50 minutes
- -Direction to Hashima
- ・From Nagasaki Port - 40 minutes by tour boat
- ※Only Tour boats can take you to Hashima
- ※15-min walk from JR Nagasaki Station to Nagasaki Port
About Nagasaki
Nagasaki Prefecture is located in the northwestern part of Kyushu and has numerous places of historical interest filled with a multitude of cultural treasures. Asian and European culture and science poured into Japan through Nagasaki, and even now the influence of this colorful history is evident in the architecture, language, cuisine and the city’s annual events.
Nagasaki prefecture has played an important role in Japan’s history of international relations, enjoying active exchanges with China, Korea, the Netherlands and many other countries. Nagasaki harbor, in particular, was the only open window to Western Europe during Japan’s period of national isolation (1641-1858). Even now, many cruise ships from around the world still call at this port every year. Nagasaki Prefecture is also blessed with a rich natural environment ranging from cool pine forests to subtropical beaches. Flowers bloom year round and the sparkling ocean and mountains offers various opportunities for sports and recreation.
All this should deeply impress anyone who visits Nagasaki.
1.Hashima
Take a tour boat from Nagasaki Port and enjoy a sea-side view of Nagasaki City with a variety of international flavors and blue ocean for 50 minutes and arrive at Hashima. Come see Japan’s oldest 7-story reinforced concrete apartment buildings that housed Hashima’s miners, the General Office Buildings with a large communal bath, a relic of the Hashima Shrine that survived numerous Typhoon attacks, and more!
2.Glover Garden
The Former Residence of Thomas Blake Glover and other British businessmen's houses are located in this beautiful garden overlooking scenic Nagasaki Harbor. Glover was contributed to the modernization of Japan through trading, shipbuilding, and coal mining. Also, he was involved with Mitsubishi, Kirin Beer Co. Ltd, and the revolutionary Samurais of the Meiji Restoration. There are statues of Puccini and the prima donna, Tamaki Miura, who became world famous thanks to her role as Madame Butterfly.
3.Nagasaki Seaside Park
This park is located in between the Nagasaki International Cruise Ship Terminal and a street of restaurants called Dejima Wharf. This 6.5 hectares park has a canal running through it and you can relax and enjoy the ocean breeze and natural greenery. Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, designed by Kengo Kuma, is located nearby.
4.Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
At 11:02 a.m. August 9th, 1945, the world’s second atomic bomb exploded at the hypocenter located nearby this museum. Numerous photographs, relics of the devastation, and the history of nuclear arms are exhibited in this museum. This museum, together with Peace Park, Urakami Cathedral and other locations around this area, tell of Nagasaki’s desire for world peace.
5.Mt. Inasa
The night view from Mt. Inasa observatory has been selected as one of the three best night views in the world at the Night View Convention Summit in Japan alongside Hong Kong and Monaco. Enjoy a 360-degree spectacular view of the lights from the houses that cover the hills and stars in the clear night sky. During the day,
the picturesque scenery and natural beauty of Nagasaki's mountains and coastline are all here- including the international cruising boats entering the Port of Nagasaki, the historical settlements of foreign residents, and the rows of buildings in each district.
6.Dejima
For more than 200 years during Japan’s period of national isolation, this unique place was the only open window for foreign trade. During the 19th century the island consisted of 49 buildings. At present about ten buildings including the Chief Factor’s Residence have been completed and opened to the public. Learn the history of the island that is an essential part of Nagasaki's culture.
7.Unzen Onsen
This location is one of the best onsen resort and one of Japan’s oldest resorts catering to foreigners. The Unzen Volcanic area has been designated as the first UNSECO's World Geo Park in Japan. The volcano activity of this area was featured in the Japanese-French co-sponsored documentary film, "Volcano Devils." Take a look at the volcano activity of this area by taking a stroll around Jikoku and the Mount Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall. It is also a perfect location to enjoy each of the four seasons.
8.Kujuku Islands
The series 208 islands of varying sizes 25km north of Sasebo Port are called Kujuku Islands. The ocean scene from the Ishidake Observatory on these islands was used as the landscape symbolizing Japan in the opening scene of the Hollywood movie, the Last Samurai. Saikai Pearl Sea Resort is the base of your adventure to the Kujuku Islands; take the Tour Cruiser Pearl Queen, enjoy kayaking or yacht sailing. Aquarium Umikirara is also located in this resort.
9.Hirado
Hirado City has unforgettably beautiful scenery and a long history of interaction with foreign countries including Netherland and British.
Next year this city will commemorate 400 years of Japan-British exchange. The first Englishman in Japan, William Adams, lived in this city. He is also known as the first foreign Samurai, Miura Anjin and as a model of the main character of John Blackthorne in James Clavell’s best-selling novel Shōgun. Visit Hirado Castle, see relics of the hidden Christians, take a look at the Dutch Trading House, and more!
Major Films Featured in Nagasaki
- Anatae (Dearest) , directed by Yasuo Furuhata (2012)
- Volcano Devils, Japanese-French co-sponsored documentary film (2011)
- Akunin (Villain), by Lee Sang-il (2010)
- Akai ito ( "The Red Thread"in USA or "Threads of Destiny" in Hong Kong), directed by Shousuke Murakami (2009)
- Naoko, directed by Tomoyuki Furumaya (2008)
- Christmas on July 24th Avenue, directed by Shousuke Murakami (2006)
- 69 sixty nine, directed by Lee Sang-il (2004), based on Ryu Murakami’s novel.
- Battle Royale II, by directed Kinji and Kenta Fukasaku, starring Kitano Takeshi (2003)-The battle scene was shot at Sakito coal mine in Nagasaki city with an image of Hashima.
- The Last Samurai, directed by Edward Zwick ,starring Tom Cruise (2003)- The Kujuku Islands was featured in the opening scene.
- Rhapsody in August, directed by Akira Kurosawa (1991)
- Silence, directed by Masahiro Shinoda (1971), based on Shusaku Endo’s novel.
- Otoko wa turai yo ("It's tough being a man"), a Japanese film series directed by Yoji Yamada. Cities of Nagasaki prefecture were featured in 1988, 1985, 1981, 1977, and1971.
- Typhon sur Nagasaki (English: Typhoon Over Nagasaki),a French Film directed by Yves Ciampi(1956).
- A list of all films with the support of the Nagasaki Film Commission (Japanese Only)
- Information about the Nagasaki Film Commission (English)
More movies upcoming including famous Hollywood movies.
Other Related Links
- TripAdvisor travelers voted Nagasaki a top destination
Contact
Nagasaki Prefecture Convention & Visitors Bureau