The Secret World of Rabbit Island: A Journey to Okunoshima

Have you heard of the island of Okunoshima, where rabbits coexist peacefully? Behind the wholesome story about how these rabbits came to live on the island lies a terrifying history. Read on to discover all of the past and present facts about Okunoshima. 

Discovering Okunoshima: Japan's Enchanting Rabbit Island

Okunoshima is a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. Most people know it as Rabbit Island or Usagi Jima because of the large number of rabbits that call it home. The island is part of Takehara City, which is located in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture. Visitors can access Okunoshima by ferry from Ōmishima and Tadanoumi.

Every day, people embark on the 15-minute ferry ride to witness the island’s main attraction: bunnies. There are about a thousand rabbits living on the island. These rabbits are free to roam about the area, and it’s against the law to hunt them. They’re tame, but not too shy to interact with humans.

There are other attractions on Okunoshima besides seeing cute bunnies. It also serves as a great spot for camping, hiking, and exploring historical landmarks. Unfortunately, the reason behind the abnormal population of rabbits on the island may be darker than you would have guessed. 

The History of Rabbit Island

Three fishing families once lived on the small, cultivated island of Okunoshima. During the  Russo-Japanese War of the early 1990s, ten forts were erected on the island. This was the first time the island was used as a tool for warfare and that was just the beginning.

Before the start of World War II, the Japanese government noticed that the United States and some European countries were producing chemical weapons. In 1925, they decided to launch a secret program on Okunoshima, where they would build chemical weapon facilities on the island.

Okunoshima was an ideal location for this because the forts made it secure, it was isolated, and it was far from Tokyo in case of accidents. The Japanese military implemented the program in 1927. They changed the existing fish preservation processor into a poisonous gas reactor. Residents of the island were oblivious of the production. Even their civilian employees did not know what they had signed up for.

After the war ended, the military burned as much evidence of the secret activities on the island as they could. When the allied forces took over, they demolished the factory and discarded or buried the tear gas and mustard gas the plants produced. The Japanese government would not take responsibility for what they did until decades later.

Why Rabbit Island? The Origin of Its Furry Inhabitants

So, you might be wondering, “Why are there so many rabbits on Rabbit Island?” There are multiple theories as to how rabbits first came to inhabit Okunoshima. The most common belief is that the current rabbits on the island are the descendants of those used as test subjects for the deadly chemical weapons. However, because the allied forces killed all of the test rabbits after the war, this is probably a false narrative.

Another theory is that rabbits were intentionally introduced to the island after the war to warn humans of any chemical weapon contamination. If any of the buried gases were released, the wild rabbits would die first because they were so close to the ground. There is no evidence to support this claim.

So far, the only factual explanation is that of Hirofumi Nishiyoshi, former manager of the Kyukamura National Park Resort Hotel, Okunoshima. He claimed that the resort management agreed to release five rabbits on the island as a way to attract more customers. Reports also suggest that a local elementary school released eight rabbits soon after that, leading to the growth of the rabbit population over the years. 

Visiting Okunoshima: What You Need to Know

Okunoshima is a great place to spend some time when you visit Japan. To help you get the most out of your experience, use our comprehensive guide below. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from navigating your Rabbit Island trip to interacting with the cute creatures on the island.

Best Time to Visit Rabbit Island

Rabbits on the island are active throughout the year, as they don’t hibernate in winter. The island is also accessible to tourists all year. The best time to visit Rabbit Island is around 10 a.m in the morning, when the rabbits are most active. You can spend a few hours interacting with them and taking pictures. After that, you have the rest of the day to explore the other attractions on Okunoshima Island.

How to Get to The Rabbit Island

Okunoshima is accessible via a 15-minute ferry trip from Tadanoumi, a port town that’s not directly connected to major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. However, you can reach the town by taking the Sanyo Shinkansen to Mihara Station and transferring to the JR Kure Line, which leads to Tadanoumi Station. From there, the ferry pier is only a short walk away. The JR Pass covers the train rides. As an alternative route, people on Omishima Island can take a ferry directly to Rabbit Island.

Tips for Interacting with the Rabbits of Okunoshima

Remember the following tips to ensure you have the best experience while spending time with our furry friends:

• To avoid accidents, do not interact with the rabbits on the roadside or next to building entrances.

• Don’t attempt to put food directly in their mouths. You might unintentionally receive a bite.

• If you’re planning on feeding the rabbits, try to bring your own food or buy some at the ferry pier or local shop. They love fresh vegetables like carrots and cabbages, but will get sick if they eat human food (bread, snacks, etc.).

• Don’t rush at the rabbits; allow them to approach you. They will eventually do that, especially when you hold rabbit food.

• Do not pick up or pull the rabbits, as you might trigger their fight or flight response.

The Rabbits of Okunoshima: Living Conditions and Wildlife Care

Although Okunoshima serves as a sanctuary for rabbits, the creatures there are mostly left to fend for themselves. They rely heavily on tourists for their food. Rabbits are wild animals, so one might think they should be fine on their own. However, some of them who have gotten injured or sick require veterinary care to survive, a feature that is lacking on the island. Non-profit organizations manage the majority of the initiatives put in place to care for them. Also, pets like dogs and cats are not allowed on the island as they could prey on the rabbits. Visitors are not allowed to hunt the creatures or leave the island with them.

Okunoshima's Attractions Beyond the Bunnies

Besides rabbit viewing, the island boasts several other attractions. Feel free to explore any of the following:

The Poison Gas Museum

Opened in 1988, the Poison Gas Museum is a solemn reminder of Okunoshima's dark history. The museum consists of two rooms containing artifacts and images that tell the story of the island's history as a chemical weapons production site. You get to learn about the terrible working conditions of the employees at the plant and the effects of poisonous gas on the human body.

Walking Trails

You can circle the entire island in a couple of hours. Many walking trails lead to historical sites such as chemical factory ruins and abandoned buildings. Be careful and look out for “Do Not Enter” signs, as some of these places could be dangerous or illegal to enter.

Beaches

The shores of Okunoshima have several beaches. Feel free to enjoy a relaxing time in the sand while you enjoy the views of the sea. You might even spot some rabbits playing in the sand.

Kyukamura Ohkunoshima

This is the only hotel on the island. It offers several luxury facilities, including fine dining and onsen (hot spring) baths. Accommodation fees may be expensive but the service is worth every yen.

The Ecological Impact: Rabbits and the Environment

It’s hard to say whether the impact of the rabbit population on the island’s ecology has been net positive or negative. While they help keep weeds from overgrowing, they also cause the demise of some native plants and trees. There seem to be both good and bad aspects to having a large free-roaming animal population in a contained environment.

Rabbit Island in Popular Culture

Okunoshima has gained a reputation as a quirky and must-visit destination, thanks to YouTube videos of the rabbits chasing people with food and humans playing with the cute animals. The rabbits of the island have also made appearances in traditional media, including Pets – Wild at Heart, the 2015 television series presented by the BBC.

Conservation Efforts and Future Challenges

Even though the rabbits live and breed on their own, the government has made some efforts to protect them. They have banned hunting rabbits throughout the island. Bringing dogs, cats, and other potential predators is also strictly prohibited. The ongoing challenge is managing the rabbit population on the island as food and shelter become more limited. Naturally, rabbits breed very quickly, but they also die off just as quickly due to predation. With most of the natural predators kept off the island, we can expect to see the rabbit population soar to several thousand in a few years. Unfortunately, they may struggle to survive due to the limited resources on the island.

Conclusion

Okunoshima is more than just home to a thousand rabbits. It’s also a place with a deep historical context and natural beauty. The island is a reminder of the negative impact of warfare, the value of peace, and how a country can be both the victim and aggressor of war. We urge you to visit Rabbit Island and experience its magic firsthand.

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