You may have heard of this furry destination by a variety of names: Usagi Shima, Okunoshima, Rabbit Island, or Bunny Island. At the time, the government went to great lengths to keep the factory a secret, even removing the island from some maps and keeping the locals in the dark as to what was being produced. There is an island where rabbits rule. Ōkunoshima, Japan // Rabbits. Okunoshima island a.k.a. While wildlife experts don’t recommend feeding wild animals, the practice is wildly accepted and encouraged on Okunoshima. Rabbit Island is accessible by a 15-minute ferry ride from Japan’s mainland. For those visiting with the sole purpose of interacting with the rabbits, be prepared for a bit of a different experience than planned. Located off the coast of Hiroshima , Okunoshima is famous for its large population of rabbits. While visiting Japan, filmmaker Micah Moore from Beat Down Boogie took a trip to the small island of Ōkunoshima, aka “Bunny Island,” to meet and film some of the hundreds of friendly bunny residents who roam freely around the island. Rabbit Island Today. Just look at these three cuties. Thanks to the fluffy creatures, Okunoshima is a popular tourist attraction. Required fields are marked *. Some believe they are descended from a small batch of eight rabbits released by school children in 1971, while others say the original rabbits were test subjects released after World War II. I challenge anyone to leave there at the end of the day without warm fuzzy feelings! Its official name is Okunoshima but it’s better known as Bunny Island or Rabbit Island – a magical land just off the coast of Japan where over 1,000 bunnies run free, demanding snacks, cuddles, pats and selfies with the people who come to visit them every day. patrick kim Originally, rabbits were brought to Okunoshima as test subjects in 1929 when the military began producing chemical weapons secretly on the island. The scarcity of proper food has led to health issues, illnesses, and injuries from fighting amongst the other rabbits. It was only decades later that the government admitted to any wrongdoing and offered financial and medical support to those in the area whose health had been damaged by the factory. They are well fed, free from predators, and spend their time lounging around getting photographed by fawning humans. Usagi Jima, or the Rabbit Island of Japan, is a cute tourist spot that's home to endless waves of fluffy bunnies... as well as a tragic history of chemical warfare, animal experimentation, and … Okunoshima (大久野島) is Japan’s famous rabbit island where these fluffy creatures have taken over the mostly uninhabited land. The Rabbit island is only a ferry ride away from Tadanoumi and Ōmishima in mainland Japan and bunnies come hopping towards the tourists as soon as they deboard. The ruins of the former buildings still remain and the signage that explains each of the abandoned sites provides for an educational experience. Okunoshima is a small Japanese island, located in the Inland Sea of Japan, in the Hiroshima Prefecture. Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages. For a cheaper option that takes a bit longer, instead of the shinkansen you can take the regular JR Sanyo/Kure Line from Hiroshima to Hiro Station, then the local Mihara Line to Tadanoumi which will take approximately 2 hours in total to reach the ferry and about ￥1520. Read Next: Cheap things to do in Tokyo with kids. Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (bullet train) to Mihara Station (~30 minutes), 2. Despite the island’s dark origins as a poisonous gas factory during World War II, these wild bunnies have brought tourists from all over the world to the little island off the coast of Hiroshima. Ōkunoshima (aka Rabbit Island) is located in the Inland Sea of Japan, and it's just one ferry ride away from the Japanese mainland. If you are looking for unusual things to do in Japan, a visit to Bunny Island Japan should be on your list. Ōkunoshima, or "Rabbit Island," is a small island off of Japan's coast with a dark past and a fluffy present. This small island is located in the Inland Sea of Japan near the city of Takehara, in Hiroshima prefecture. While the main attraction of the island is of course the rabbits, Okunoshima offers a small selection of activities, including the following: Here’s the easiest way to get to Rabbit Island Okunoshima from Hiroshima: 1. The island does not shy away from its history, even exploring it for the sake of a brighter future. See more ideas about bunny, cute bunny, cute animals. Take a 1-hour ride from Hiroshima to Tadanoumi, and then take a ferry which departs every hour, and you will enjoy the lush nature in the company of your new fluffy friends. Isolated yet still relatively accessible, Okunoshima was the perfect location for these secret activities. What’s special about this place is that it is completely crawling with rabbits – a bunny paradise of sorts. Wiped from unclassified maps in the area during the 1930s and 1940s, Okunoshima was used as a base to test chemical weapons of war; the juxtaposition of fluffy rabbits and the Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum cannot escape the notice of even the most avid lotus-eating traveller among our number. So where is this bunny … The island played a key role during World War II as a poison gas factory for much of the chemical warfare that was carried out in China. And because there are no natural predators on the island, the rabbits quickly populated and turned Okunoshima into the fascinating tourist attraction that it is today. Little Bunny in the Palm Girl is Holding a Small Wild Fluffy Baby Bunny. In the 1920s, Japan signed the Geneva Protocol of 1925 – which banned the … From the mainland, you can take a ferry from Tadanoumi, on the JR Kure Line. At Mihara Station, transfer to the Kure Line (a local train) bound for Hiro (3 stops, ~25 minutes), 4. The origin of the rabbits on the island is as unclear as its harrowing history is apparent. You can find and verify the latest ferry timetable here. The island has many beautiful beaches to enjoy, and there are campgrounds and a small golf course. Though Okunoshima is marketed as an island full to the brim of fluffy bunnies – which it is and yes, it is just as cute as you can imagine – the island itself has a much more sinister history. If you do choose to feed the rabbits, it’s better to either purchase proper rabbit food from the visitor’s center (about ￥100 for a small bag) or you could always bring your own. Girl is Holding a Small Wild Fluffy Baby Bunny. It was fun for all of us to feed the fluffy little bunnies, not annoying like the deer on Miyajima island that are only cute until you have food in your hand. Yet Tashirojima isn’t the only critter-filled island in Japan. I’m talking about Japan’s rabbit island; Okunoshima. Okunoshima is often referred to by its nickname, usagi jima (rabbit island in English). Current estimates put the number of rabbits at over 1,000. This island is overrun with cute fluffy bunnies, waiting for visitors to come armed with treats. How do you get to Rabbit Island from Hiroshima? Now it’s covered in bunnies. This small island is located in the Inland Sea of Japan near the city of Takehara, in Hiroshima prefecture. I visited Okunoshima when I was living and working in Japan and found that getting to the island can be a little tricky, especially if you don’t speak Japanese. Okunoshima is a lovely piece of land located in the Inland Sea of Japan that is known as ‘The Rabbit Island’ because of the hundreds of rabbits living there. By the end of World War II, some six kilotons of mustard gas and tear gas were being made at this one factory. So here I bring you a lighthearted (mostly) tale of an odd little Japanese island ruled by none other than cute, fluffy bunnies. In total, from Hiroshima to the ferry, it’ll take about an hour and 15 minutes and more or less ￥3810. Just be ready to run when you run out of food, as they are prone to chase. Well, actually its official name is Okunoshima but thanks to the multitude of cute and fluffy inhabitants, the island has become famous all over the world! The rabbits have ended up depending on tourists for food, which is often not appropriate or nutritious for the animals. Here’s more details on getting to Bunny Island, staying on Bunny island and the answer to what happens if you lie down covered in bunny food on Bunny Island. There’s no entrance fee for visiting Okunoshima, so your costs will include transportation fees to Tadanoumi Station and the ￥620 round trip ferry ride. Nov 12, 2018 - Explore Suzy Medina's board "Bunny Tail", followed by 312 people on Pinterest. The child gently hugs a gray fluffy rabbit, a happy childhood rabbit stock videos & royalty-free footage. No, the only people who live on the island are those who work at the island’s resort. Most people know it by its nickname, ‘Rabbit Island’, and it is appropriately named. Okunoshima Island – Japan’s Rabbit Paradise. Ōkunoshima, also known as Usagi Shima (Rabbit Island), is a small island with a dark history. Okunoshima is accessible by ferry from Tadanoumi. But no matter where you go, the rabbits are a constant factor, adding a healthy serving of cuteness to almost anything you can do on the island. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see rabbits with lacerations or severe wounds. Okunoshima is a small island located in the Inland Sea of Japan, approximately 70 km (43 miles) east of the city of Hiroshima. All Rights Reserved. rabbit stock videos & royalty-free footage. Pellets of rabbit food are sold in the hotel lobby, although we found the rabbits preferred cabbage leaves and carrots which we had brought from home. Little bunny in the palm of your hand. Southwest of the beach resort is the Hill of the Evening Sun, a great spot to see the sunset, Look for the picturesque lighthouse on the southern tip of the island (off-limits), The island also has Japan's tallest electricity pylon, 226 meters high. An island of cute animals with a dark history Located off the coast of Hiroshima, Okunoshima is famous for its large population of rabbits. Can you live on Okunoshima Rabbit Island? There are conflicting stories as to where the rabbits came from. Ferrel rabbits roam the island freely and animal lovers worldwide come to the island to enjoy what it has to offer. Today, "Rabbit Island's" 700,000 square-meter estate is home to a golf course, beaches, parks and even a resort hotel, notes Jaunted.com, despite the island's grim military past. “the Rabbit island” is a small island located in Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima prefecture. 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