Man, what a day! I’m a forester, right? So, I’m used to chillin’ in the woods, not in a concrete jungle like Hashima. But today? Wow. Just wow.
So, I roll into Hashima, right? This place is wild. It’s like a ghost town but with a twist. The streets are all cracked and overgrown. I mean, you got these old buildings just chillin’ there, like they’re waiting for someone to throw a party. I’m talkin’ about the ruins of the old coal mines. Hashima was once poppin’ with workers, but now? It’s just me and a bunch of crumbling walls.
First thing I notice is the wind. It’s like it’s whispering secrets. I’m walking down Hashima’s main street, which is called “Kōen-dōri.” Sounds fancy, huh? But it’s just a long, lonely road. I’m thinkin’, “Man, this place has seen better days.”
Then, outta nowhere, I trip over a loose brick. Like, seriously? I’m a forester, not a klutz! I’m cursing under my breath, “Damn you, Hashima!” But then I look up and see this view of the ocean. It’s stunning! The waves crashing against the rocks, the sun glinting off the water. I’m like, “Okay, maybe you’re not so bad, Hashima.”
But then, I get hit with a wave of nostalgia. I think about the miners who worked here. They must’ve had some crazy stories. I mean, they lived on this tiny island, working their butts off. And now? It’s just me and a bunch of seagulls. I swear, one of them looked at me like, “What are you doing here, dude?”
So, I keep wandering. I hit up “Kōen-dōri” again, and I see this old school building. It’s all covered in vines. I’m like, “Wow, nature’s reclaiming this place.” But then I see some graffiti. It says, “Hashima: The Island of Lost Dreams.” I laugh. Like, who even writes that? But it hits me, you know?
I’m feeling all sorts of emotions. Happy, sad, angry. I’m like, “Why’d they leave this place?” I mean, it’s got character! I could totally see myself chillin’ here, planting trees, making it green again.
Then, I decide to grab some food. I find this little spot called “Hashima Café.” It’s tiny but cozy. I order some ramen, and let me tell you, it was bomb! I’m slurping away, and the owner starts chatting me up. He’s like, “You know, Hashima used to be a bustling city.” I’m nodding, trying not to choke on my noodles.
After that, I’m feeling all inspired. I head back out, and I’m like, “Let’s do this!” I start taking pics of the ruins, the streets, everything. I’m snapping away like a tourist. I even get a selfie with a seagull. It’s ridiculous, but I’m having a blast.
But then, I hear this loud noise. I turn around, and there’s this group of kids playing. They’re laughing and running around. I’m like, “Wait, are they allowed here?” I mean, it’s a ghost town! But they’re having the time of their lives. I can’t help but smile.
As the sun starts to set, I’m standing on the edge of the island, looking out at the horizon. The sky is all pink and orange. It’s beautiful. I’m thinking, “Hashima, you’re a weird place, but I kinda love you.”
So, yeah, my day in Hashima was a rollercoaster. From tripping over bricks to eating ramen and watching kids play, it was intense. I’m heading back to the forest tomorrow, but I’ll carry this day with me. Hashima, you’ve got a piece of my heart now.