Okunoshima is known as “rabbit island”, because there are about 300 rabbits living, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Okunoshima islet in Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. This place is compared by many tourists as “a cute zoo” because there are about 300 wild rabbits. Because of the above feature, the island also has another name is Usagi Jami (Rabbit Island). Many people come here to pray for the convenience of giving birth because the rabbit is considered a symbol of many children according to Japanese culture.
The rabbits here often follow the guests. Every year, Rabbit Island welcomes more than 100,000 visitors on average. Photo: All that interesting.
Up to now, the origin of the rabbits on the island is still unknown. However, the most widely accepted theory is that in 1971, a group of students on a school trip brought some rabbits. Gradually, the number of rabbits increased and spread to the island.
The rabbits on the island are very brave and love to approach guests to beg. Even without someone looking after them, the rabbits can live comfortably thanks to the food coming from the visitors.
Visitors should buy rabbit food at the supermarket before going on the island. You can play and pick up rabbits, but you cannot bring dogs or cats or take rabbits to the mainland … because this is a government regulation.
Visitors can feed rabbits with vegetables, carrots … bought in supermarkets before going on the island. Photo: Twitter.
In addition to buying rabbit food packages, playing with them, you can visit the Poison Gas Museum to learn more about the island’s history, walk along the coastal trails, watch the mountains or take a bath sea. On the island there are cafes to serve customers, but the number is not much. Here, people sell small souvenirs to buy as gifts. The island is small, so it takes about 1.5 hours for visitors to visit and explore.
Tourists note should not cuddle rabbits, even if allowed. They are all wild rabbits, not vaccinated. You should not feed your rabbits along the way, as they may be engrossed in eating and forgetting to avoid approaching cars. Pay attention to food for rabbits so they are not overdue or damaged … Guests should not place food near the cave to avoid attracting other predators, check the underbody before starting, because rabbits are permanent hide there.
Before going back, fill the pan with water around the island because water is scarce. Rabbits living on a hillside can live off spring water, but the animals living around hotels and cafes don’t have much water to drink.
Rabbit Island is 15 minutes by ferry from Tadanoumi port, and ferries are usually 30-45 minutes apart.