Battleship Island

Hashima Island is one of Japans many uninhabited islands.  It is often referred to as Gunkanjima meaning Battleship Island.   The island is about 16 acres and at it's peak, the population was 5,259.
The island was once populated between the years of 1887 to 1974 as a coal mining town, extracting coal from undersea mines.  The mine closed in 1974 leaving the island uninhabited with it's large buildings crumbling.  However, in 2009 a small portion of the island re-opened for photography and other types of usage.  Unfortunately, the island is not maintained and some buildings have already collapsed.  Other buildings have been somewhat reinforced.   It would make a great tourist attraction, but it great deal of money would be required to make the island safe.