Hashima, the Japanese desert island which has not always been

How about going to a desert island, thousands of kilometers, in the middle of the peaceful ocean, alone in the world? Tempting, right?!

The geneafinder team takes you well on an island in this article, this island is very deserted and you will be there alone. Today, nature is trying to regain its rights and the remains of recent occupation are trying to face the many typhoons. We are Friday November 9 and we leave for the island of Hashima, Japan. 

Increased exploitation ...

Migration and trips are very common in genealogy and are the very reflection of certain eras and certain policies. Many of our migrant ancestors have left with women and children to make a fortune in a new city, a new region or even a new country. This is the case for the many workers who came to work on the island of Hashima. 

For the record, this Japanese island is also known as Gunkanjima (island of warships - because of its 1920s in the form of battleship). She was deserted (for real!) Until 1810 before a large deposit of coal was discovered there. A few years later, the Mitsubishi group decided to exploit this deposit and bring in many workers from Japan. The island of Hashima was constantly enlarged until the 1930s in order to welcome all these workers' immigrants and a real city is gradually built with buildings, schools, shops, restaurants, swimming pool, cinema, hospital and prison ... The island will then be largely marked by the presence of some 800 Korean and Chinese workers emigrated by Japan during the Second World War. Many of them will succumb to poverty, deplorable living conditions and torture for fugitives. 

… In brutal decline 

1960s - Golden Age of Hashima Island. The population explodes, there are more than 5000s to live on just over 6 hectares. This population density will be the most important in the world. Paradoxical for an island since become a ghost ... 10 years later, oil becomes new black gold and the mine activity is no longer profitable. It stopped in the early 1970s and residents no longer having anything to do there will be sent back to their country in 1974. The island has become deserted again. 

Years later, we are in 2009, the island is re-moored to open its doors, in a limited manner, to tourists and lovers of Urbex. You can besides Visit it comfortably from home thanks to Google. Hashima fascinates today, both for her history largely linked to workers' migration, as well as as to remain, namely a landscape worthy of post-apocalyptic films.