Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com

Abandoned 007 Battleship Island

By Rebecca Drew

EERIE images have revealed the crumbling remains of the uninhabited Japanese mining island that was featured in the James Bond hit film Skyfall.

Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com
Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com

The ghostly pictures show dilapidated high rise buildings where mine workers once lived and water filled foundations that have crumbled away. Other shots show how families left their belongings behind with children’s toys and even a television scattered amongst the debris.

Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com
Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com

One image taken from the sea surrounding the island shows it in complete darkness.

Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com
Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com

The haunting photographs were taken at Hashima Island, also known as Battleship Island, Japan by an urban explorer known as Espinas3. To take the pictures Espinas3 used a Nikon series camera.

Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com
Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com

“I want to deliver the beautiful ruins of Japan to the rest of the world,” said Espinas3.

“I love that this photography captures the beauty of natural collapse like it is being swallowed and this appeals to me.

“Sometimes a lot of these beautiful places are dangerous and it is hard to overcome fear.”

Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com
Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com

Hashima island is located nine-miles away from Nagasaki in Japan and was known for its undersea coal mines which were established in 1887. In 1974, the coal stocks had depleted and the mines were closed.

Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com
Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com

During WW2, Korean civilians and Chinese prisoners of war were forced to work at the coal mines under harsh conditions. In July 2015, the island was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com
Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com

External shots of the island that gets its name from its resemblance to the Japanese battleship Tosa were used in the 2012 James Bond film, Skyfall.

Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com
Espinas3 / mediadrumworld.com

“I keep taking photos to avoid missing beautiful things and to introduce Japan’s wonderful ruins to the rest of the world,” added Espinas3.

“I would like to take pictures of the ruins of England one day.”

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