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Ikeshima Coal Mine Ruins
Explore the lively history of Kyushu's last “coal mining island” on a guided tour.
Ikeshima, located off the coast of Nagasaki City's Sotome area, is known as a coal mining island alongside the World Heritage Site of Gunkanjima (Hashima Island).
Mining peaked in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the island's population exceeded 7,000. However, demand declined as oil replaced coal as an energy source, and the mine closed in 2001. Although it no longer operates as a coal mine, remnants remain throughout the island, including a coal storage yard, a thermal power plant, and apartment buildings that once housed miners and their families.
Today, tours take visitors into the mine tunnels aboard an electric mine cart. Led by former miners, they include a look around the facilities and simulated operation of mining machinery. Some plans also offer an optional guided walking tour of areas and facilities on the island that are normally off-limits, providing deeper insight into the lives of the miners. The tours will end in late March 2027, so those interested should book soon.
Highlights
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A remote island in Nagasaki that was home to Kyushu's last coal mine.
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Remnants such as the coal storage yard and apartment buildings still remain.
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Guided coal mining experience tours explore the mine tunnels.
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Optional tours combine the coal mining experience with sightseeing around the island.
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The coal mining experience tours will end in late March 2027.
Photos
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Heading to the coal mine by electric mine cart
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A former miner guides visitors through the facilities
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Abandoned apartment buildings
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Thermal power plant
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Coal mine facilities viewed from the port
Reviews
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 池島炭鉱跡
- Postal Code
- 857-0071
- Address
- 154 Ikeshimamachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
- Phone
- 0959-26-0888 (Ikeshima Coal Mine Exploration Facility)
- Closed on
- Mondays, the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, and during the New Year holidays (December 29-January 3)
- Hours
- Morning course: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; afternoon course: 1:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.; afternoon course with optional tour: 1:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
- Admission
- Morning and afternoon courses: adults (high school students and older) ¥2,720, elementary and junior high school students ¥1,360 / Afternoon course with optional tour: adults (high school students and older) ¥3,170, elementary and junior high school students ¥1,580
- Access
- From Nagasaki Station on the JR Nagasaki Main Line and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, take a bus for 75 minutes and get off at the Kaminoura bus stop. Walk 4 minutes to Konoura Port, then take a 30-minute ferry ride to Ikeshima Port.
- Credit Cards
- Not accepted
- Official website
- Official website (Japanese)