Ōkunoshima

Japan

Feeding bunnies is a popular activity here. Ōkunoshima (大久野島) is a small island located in the Inland Sea of Japan. It is also known as Usagi Shima (うさぎ島, "Rabbit Island") because of the numerous feral rabbits that live here and it is for that reason that draws many people here. Nobody knows for sure how the rabbits got here. Some say they are the result of a scientific testing while others theorize that some children on a school trip left the original settlers here.

There is one restaurant in the hotel.

Ruins of Ōkunoshima poison gas production facility.

  • Poison Gas Museum. 09:00-17:00, closed Tu. tells the story of the islands role in producing poison gas during World War II, and "was established in order to alert as many people as possible to the dreadful truths about poison gas." ¥100.

Poison Gas Museum. 09:00-17:00, closed Tu. tells the story of the islands role in producing poison gas during World War II, and "was established in order to alert as many people as possible to the dreadful truths about poison gas." ¥100.

  • Feed the rabbits - many people bring food to feed the rabbits on the island. Food has to be bought before taking the ferry. They like lettuce and carrots and will jump on top of you if cover yourself with food.
  • Walk or cycle - the island has many abandoned buildings that are worth exploring, in particular the poison gas facility. There are nice views and the feral rabbits give an eerie but cute atmosphere as you wonder what happened to the island!

  • Entice the rabbits - many people underestimate their power to swarm as evidenced by the "ruins" as above.
  • Walk or cycle - if the rabbits have organized as they are feral and numerous.