Hashima Island

Hashima Island 

(Japan)

If you've seen the new James Bond film Skyfall, then you were probably impressed by Javier Bardem's portrayal of the villain, Raoul Silva. He's a bad dude, and his evil island lair seems a fitting place for him — a rotting heap of buildings sitting out in the middle of the ocean, populated with derelict buildings.

 The island is real. The island is known as Hashima, or alternatively as Gunkanjima (“Battleship”) Island, and it sits about nine miles off the Japanese coast in the East China Sea. Schools, bath houses, temples, restaurants, markets, and even a graveyard were built, all on a space the size of a football field.

Once they reached 5,000 people or more out there, it was recognized as the most densely populated place on earth, ever. However, in 1974 the coal ran out and the Mistubishi Company told the people that they would have some work for them on the mainland, provided on a first come, first served basis. That's why people left so quickly. They left coffee cups on the tables and bicycles leaning against the walls. 

A few years ago, actor Daniel Craig, who plays Bond, "discovered" the island and suggested it as a location for his next 007 movie. Skyfall only features external shots of Hashima.