Visiting Okunoshima - Japanese rabbit island
Okunoshima, located in Japan, is home to hundreds of fluffy rabbits. The island is also known as “Usagi Shima” or “Rabbit Island.” In this article, GoEMON will guide you through this adorable island!
1. Some facts about Okunoshima island
Okunoshima is a small island off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture. With a small area of only roughly 1 square kilometer, the island is well-known as one of the top rabbits-related traveling destinations. Home to approximately 900 of these fluffy four-legged friends, the island earns another name: “Usagi Shima,” which literally translates to “Rabbit Island” in English.
Okunoshima is part of Setonaikai National Park, which was designated in 1934. However, this beautiful island was once removed from the map for being the site of a major secret chemical weapons test of the Japanese military during World War II.
2. How to get to Okunoshima rabbit island
From Hiroshima JR station, you can take the Kodama bullet train to Mihara, which will take about 30 minutes. From Mihara, it takes another 20 minutes to Tadanoumi JR station by JR Kure train. After arriving at Tadanoumi JR station, walk about 5 minutes to Tadanoumi Ferry Terminal where you can buy a ferry ticket to Okunoshima, which will then be about 15 minutes by ferry. You will officially arrive at rabbit island after getting off at Okunoshima ferry. People residing on the island are mostly those working in tourism and services-related fields. The island has a very chill, relaxing, and comfortable vibe to it.
3. What to do at Okunoshima rabbit island
The main activities to do here are of course admiring the cute rabbits, as well as playing around with them and feeding them. As the rabbits are all very gentle, they would be very obedient in letting tourists pet and take pictures of them. Thus, the island is very famous among travelers with young children.
Nowadays, many tourists also visit the island to explore the abandoned building and remnants of the once-toxic gas warehouses, barracks, and power plants. Okunishima is like another world with many mysteries, waiting for its visitors to discover. One of the largest constructions on this island is the abandoned thermal power plant. Time has led to the area being quite dangerous due to degradation, and thus visitors are not allowed to enter. However, you can still walk around and take a look at the front area of the building. The plant has a unique and hard-to-describe feeling to it, which will give you a sense of history.
The island also has many campsites and long beaches stretching along the white sand and multiple coconut trees. You are sure to make many precious memory here with your family and friends! There are also campfire spots on the island where you can enjoy the night beside your special ones.
This is also an ideal location to watch the sakura trees during cherry blossom season as the island is not too crowded. Visitors can multitask by enjoying both the breezy sea and beautiful cherry blossoms while at the same time petting the island’s four-legged residents.
In the above article, GoEMON has introduced to you one of the cutest locations that visitors should not miss when coming to Japan - Okunoshima rabbit island. What are you waiting for? It’s time to visit Okunoshima with your special ones!
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