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Locations: Japan. Hashima Island, Nagasaki prefecture

Gunkanjima

Winter 2011

Welcome to my digital gallery, a testament to our world's unspoken histories and untamed corners. Among these compelling series is an exclusive expedition to Gunkanjima, or "Battleship Island," an abandoned vestige adrift in the East China Sea.
Situated 15 kilometres from Nagasaki, Gunkanjima's moniker is a nod to its silhouette, a striking semblance to a mighty battleship. Once a pulsating industrial epicentre, it now stands as an imposing testament to time's relentless march, its structures echoing tales of an era long past. Its isolation and deserted state offers an otherworldly tableau rarely experienced, an ethereal dance of manmade structures succumbing to nature's reclaim.
Access to this abandoned gem, however, is not for the faint-hearted. Wrapped in layers of caution tapes, Gunkanjima carries the allure of the forbidden, its inherent dangers warding off casual explorers. But fear not, for I have traversed its spectral alleys, braved the silent structures, and captured the haunting beauty in its decay.
Step into this labyrinth of a bygone era, and explore one of the most arresting urban environments on Earth through my lens. The journey to Gunkanjima might be treacherous, but you will walk its lonely streets in the comfort of your screen. Trust my vision, and allow me to guide you through a world where time stands still and stories whisper from the crumbling concrete.


© Ott Kadarik