boat ride to reach a paradise of rabbits. Fujii Shuzo uses natural local ingredients such as organically-grown rice and the town’s natural spring water to make their sake. At Mihara, catch the Kure Line local train to Tadanoumi, and from there walk to the terminal and catch a ferry. ■L ocated in eastern Hiroshima, Rabbit Island is a small enclave occupied by hundreds of wild rabbits that roam the forests and fields, chasing tourists for food. But just where did all these rabbits come from? Do you like cute animals? The small island, which is also known as “Rabbit Island” (ウサギ島), can be reached by ferry from Tadanoumi (Hiroshima) or Omishima (Ehime). If you come to the Rabbit Island with children, they will be definitely grateful for this trip and will remember it for a long time. Under the jurisdiction of the Japanese military, the local fish preservation processor was converted into a toxic gas reactor. 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. In a land far, far away (or just around the corner, if you happen to live in Japan) lies an island steeped in mystery, controversy, and, well, hundreds of rabbits. We ended our journey in Takehara by strolling its retro streets one last time with our pinwheel in hand, gently blowing in the wind. During the Pacific War of WWII between 1929 and 1945, the Japanese Imperial Army established factories on Okunoshima, in which poison gas was being mass-produced for the war effort. As soon as we stepped off the ferry and walked past the terminal, we were greeted by a, However, the former fishing and agricultural island has a dark past. That place is Okunoshima, or “Rabbit Island”— a small island found in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan, which just so happens to be populated by 700 to 1000 cute, fluffy bunny rabbits. Three fishing families lived on the island. Japanese island overrun by rabbits, tourists . The island’s official name is Okunoshima, and it’s located in Hiroshima Prefecture about a five-hour trip from Tokyo. OFF THE COAST OF HIROSHIMA, JAPAN. It is considered to be part of the city of Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture. This was a lovely time of day to explore the area with almost no one else around and we had the whole place to ourselves. The second room shows how poison gas affects the human body through the lungs, eyes, skin, and heart. It has a history of poison gas production, and it is also famous for its many abandoned buildings. Bunny Island, how to go to Rabbit Island, Japan bunny, Japan rabbit, kawaii, Okunoshima, Rabbit Island, rabbit island day trip Jonelle Patrick View All Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. The island is a wonderful place to relax and de-stress with its rich nature, warm climate and scenic views of the stunning Seto Inland Sea. But beneath the cuteness the island holds a surprising and dark secret. Then, read on! While the island is a very popular tourist spot, it does have a tragic past. Beautiful views, lush forests, well-marked trails with options for both beginners and experienced hikers, this is the perfect weekend nature escape from Tokyo for the... No doubt about it—hot springs and autumn holidays make a perfect match. If Tokyo and Kyoto are on your destination maps, head to Okunoshima from Kyoto instead of Tokyo. Okunoshima is a small Japanese island, located in the Inland Sea of Japan, in the Hiroshima Prefecture. ... Buy rabbit food before arriving on the island, as rabbit food is not sold on the island. If you’ve heard about Okunoshima, more widely known by its popular name of Rabbit Island (official website), you can thank YouTube.Before a 2014 YouTube video of a woman being “attacked” by a horde of friendly bunnies went viral, most visitors to Okunoshima were either elderly Japanese coming to enjoy the local onsen hot springs or school children on a field trip. The soft light of dusk was gently falling on the wooden houses with their latticework facades and fired clay roof tiles in the. Okunoshima Island, arguably better known as ‘Rabbit Island’, is a relatively small island off the coast of Hiroshima. For the 16 years it was operating, the island was kept off maps and residents told to keep its poison gas factories secret. As with the ugliness of war, Japanese researchers brought rabbits to the island as test subjects for the poison. Okunoshima (大久野島) is located in the Seto Inland Sea and belongs to Takehara City, not too far from Hiroshima City, in Hiroshima Prefecture (map). "The Beginning of the Gas Plants," (Ōkunoshima Poison Gas Museum Exhibit: Ōkunoshima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture), visited December 10, 2006. After thanking our instructor and talking to some of the other master craftsmen and women in the workshop, we headed to our next destination. If Tokyo and Kyoto are on your destination maps, head to Okunoshima from Kyoto instead of Tokyo. Tags Bizarre bunnies historical oddities island mysteries Japan modern mysteries mysterious places natural world The best way to go to Rabbit Island is by train, so you need to buy a Japan Rail Pass (7day, 14day or 21 day) before flying to Japan. "Poison Gas: The Story Japan Would Like To Forget". People were told to be silent about the project, and several decades would pass before victims from the plant were given government aid for treatment. room was located in an old building that used to be a bank during the Meiji era. Besides the ferry there is also a cruise boat service and there are 3 more boat departures after the last ferry from Okunoshima to Tadanoumi at 16.30, 18.15 and 19.15. You might have heard of the Fox Village or the Cat Island, but the top of my bucket list has always been for Okunoshima, the rabbit island in Hiroshima prefecture.. We were sad to leave our new bunny friends, but there was a lot more to see and do in Takehara. Japan Area Guide. Rabbit island Ookuno Island . This island is overrun with cute fluffy bunnies, waiting for visitors to come armed with treats. Three fishing families lived on the island. There are a lot of historical and sightseeing spots here that are uncommon, yet a must-see, for tourists or even the locals at that. The rabbits are rather tame and will approach humans. To know more about offbeat places in Japan, have a look at our 2 weeks alternative Japan itinerary!. Ookuno Island is a peaceful island located in the Seto Island Sea. Most visitors flock to Okunoshima in pursuit of rabbit “cuteness”, but there is in fact a darker history behind the island. The island's wartime history was quite different. Animals Creepy Japan's Rabbit Island in Hiroshima is absolutely covered in rabbits. Bunny Island – Japan’s Rabbit Island. It was time to come back from our lovely and cute trip back in time. A post shared by 自然にときめくリゾート 休暇村 (@kyukamurahotels). Families of workers who suffered the aftereffects of the harsh working conditions donated numerous artifacts to help tell the story of the workers' plight. It is a great chance to soak up the atmosphere of the island and see the rabbits when they are at their most active—early in the morning and in the evening. So even if you are not an animal lover, but are rather a history buff, Okunoshima is still well worth a visit. Habu Shosen[8] now also runs direct ferries from Mihara Port to Ōkunoshima on weekends. It takes less than three hours to get from Tokyo to this picture-perfect hot spring town in Shikoku. [1], The island was a cultivated area until the Russo-Japanese War when ten forts were built to protect it. Okunoshima island a.k.a. Combined with Tokyo Cheapo, total reach exceeds 850,000. We reached the remote island after a short 20-minute ferry ride from Takehara Port on the Usagi no Omoide Ferry, an adorable looking ferry that is also the quickest way to the island. Welcome to Dogo Onsen! Dozens of fluffy, unbelievable cute bunnies will be eating from your hands, and jumping all over you, when you lie down. "[6] As expressed by its curator, Murakami Hatsuichi, to The New York Times, “My hope is that people will see the museum in Hiroshima City and also this one, so they will learn that we [Japanese] were both victims and aggressors in the war. Contrary to its current reputation as the "rabbit island" of Japan, Okunoshima carries a dark past of poison gas production. We recommend staying until sunset, as the purple mountains in the background and soft light shimmering on the water make for a stunning view. To get to Rabbit Island from Tokyo, you will want to reserve a seat on the Shinkansen (bullet train). As islands that are occupied by wild animals go, Okunoshima, better known as Usaga Jima or Rabbit Island, is probably the cutest. Take the shinkansen to Fukuyama Station, where you’ll transfer to the JR Sanyo Line until Mihara Station. The rabbits did what rabbits do best and now the 700-square-meter island is home to more than 300 of their floppy-eared descendants, earning it the nickname Usagi Shima, or Rabbit Island. Rabbit Island - artist island Michigan, USA, Peacebunny Island - therapy rabbits Minnesota, USA, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ōkunoshima&oldid=971799991, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 8 August 2020, at 09:04. This multi-purpose resort hotel is one of many that are specifically built in scenic spots and national parks around Japan in order to provide guests with opportunities to get closer to nature and have fun with a variety of recreational activities. Looking for a unique experience during your Japan trip? The rest of the island is full of ruins that are in stark juxtaposition to the otherwise adorable atmosphere of Rabbit island. You can stay overnight at the Kyukamura Ohkunoshima, the only inn on the island. Located in the Inland Sea of Japan, this small island is accessible by ferry from Tadanoumi and Omishima. It was fortified in the 19. century to protect the area around the Seto Inland Sea. It was abandoned after World War II and today, Okunoshima is home to about a thousand rabbits. It was now evening, as we enjoyed a stroll along the old streets of Takehara. Located in a remodeled merchant’s warehouse just off. Sure, he looks cute, but just wait till those sneakers catch his eye. The museum is aimed primarily at Japanese tourists, but English translations are provided on the overall summary for each section. "Ōkunoshima Poison Gas Museum," (Ōkunoshima Poison Gas Museum Exhibit: Ōkunoshima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture), visited December 10, 2006. The first stop was the Machinami Takekobo Bamboo Craft Workshop. There are campsites, walking trails and places of historical interest on the island. The rabbits can be found all over the island, roaming the forests and fields and wandering through the ruins covered in ivy, seeking food at their pleasure and being awfully cute. Japan's Rabbit Island in Hiroshima is absolutely covered in rabbits. Cute, sleepy bunnies near the ferry terminal. The historic structures from the original building erected in 1902 remain in place with the guest rooms maintaining the authentic atmosphere of its traditional roots. [3] The island was chosen for its isolation, security, and distance from Tokyo and other areas in case of disaster. From Takehara station, our first stop was Okunoshima—affectionately called Usagi Shima (literally, “Rabbit Island”). Most of the buildings are run-down and condemned, but still recognizable. Numerous YouTube videos and articles document how people who visit the island with food are overrun by semi-tame rabbits looking for free meals. Rabbit Island is one of the most interesting places to visit in Japan for reasons you might not expect. I advise you to plan a trip to the island if you're in Japan… The owner, who speaks fluent English, was able to carefully explain the traditional kimoto-zukuri brewing method they use to produce award-winning products as well as some tasting (currently paused due to the coronavirus situation). TOKYO (5 a.m.) Markets; 103.21 ¥/$ (4 p.m.) Login ... and I want to do something to help the sick and injured bunnies on Rabbit Island, so I am writing to The Japan Times. All the rooms even come with a luxurious. In Japan, try to save the Japanese names of the places/ restaurants you wish to go to, as some places do not have English translations. Visiting Okunoshima aka Rabbit Island. 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. We weren’t aware … Three fishing families lived on the island. Welcome to Okunoshima – Japan’s famous and mysterious ‘rabbit island’. Okunoshima (“大久野島” in Japanese), a small island in Japan’s Inland Sea has an interesting, yet dark history. 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. In 1925, the Imperial Japanese Army Institute of Science and Technology initiated a secret program to develop chemical weapons, based on extensive research that showed that chemical weapons were being produced throughout the … However, we found out that there was another super-kawaii (cute) place – Okunoshima, also known as Usaga Jima, or Rabbit Island, because of the 1000+ cute furry critters that call it home. Rabbit island (You can get the to the island from JR Tadanoumi Station by ferry. style—a delicate atmosphere. This place is definitely a must-see for any serious animal lover. I challenge anyone to leave there at the end of the day without warm fuzzy feelings! But note that most probably it would be dark by 18.00 during Nov. https:/…time.pdf. (literally, “Rabbit Island”). It was fortified in the 19th century to protect the area around the Seto Inland Sea. We reached the remote island after a short 20-minute ferry ride from Takehara Port on the Usagi no Omoide Ferry, an adorable looking ferry that is also the quickest way to the island. Your Guide To The Best Things To Do In Tokyo! The rabbits can be found all over the island, roaming the forests and fields and wandering through the ruins covered in ivy, seeking food at their pleasure and being awfully cute. Japan’s Rabbit Island – Yes, it really does exist. One of the most adorable places in Japan, but with a dark past. As I always say, Japan is more than just Tokyo and Osaka. ... More importantly for me, o n the way I happened to meet a very nice Japanese couple who gave me some rabbit food and refused to take payment. Tried on google, but can't seem to find it. This pancake like food with sweet sauce on top is one of the most popular foods in Hiroshima. Alerts. It might be a good idea to stock up on a few bags because you will probably need more than you anticipated. Japan Tourism Japan Hotels Bed and Breakfast Japan Japan Holiday Rentals Flights to Japan Japan Restaurants Japan Attractions ... Backpacker Hostels Japan; Post. ... Buy your rabbit food before getting on the island to be safe. According to this Japan Times article, the island produced 5 types of chemical gas which was mostly used in warfare in China. “the Rabbit island” is a small island located in Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima prefecture. The historic structures from the original building erected in 1902 remain in place with the guest rooms maintaining the authentic atmosphere of its traditional roots. Located in the south-central part of Hiroshima Prefecture, facing the picturesque Seto Inland Sea—known as the Mediterranean of Japan—it’s a great weekend getaway from all the stress and noise of central Tokyo. Working conditions were harsh and many suffered from toxic-exposure related illnesses due to inadequate safety equipment. From Tokyo, take the bullet train to Fukuyama (3.5 hrs). Japan was a signatory of the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which banned the use of chemical warfare but not the development and storage of chemical weapons. One of the local experts, who has been involved in the workshop for over 40 years, helped us make a traditional bamboo pinwheel. From there, take the JR Sanyo line to Mihara station for a 35 min trip. Follow me on my journey to rabbit island, also known as Okunoshima in Japan. Shai took a trip to Ōkunoshima, Japan, otherwise known as The Rabbit Island. The island was a cultivated area until the Russo-Japanese War when ten forts were built to protect it. The goal of the hotel is to provide guests with a comfortable stay in a traditional style with modern amenities while they experience the townscape conservation area and enjoy the delicious local food. During the war, rabbits were also used in the chemical munitions plant to test the effectiveness of the chemical weapons, but those rabbits were killed when the factory was demolished and are not related to the rabbits currently on the island. Step by step he took us through the process of weaving the individual bamboo sticks together to create a masterpiece. Do you like cute animals? Bunny Island, how to go to Rabbit Island, Japan bunny, Japan rabbit, kawaii, Okunoshima, Rabbit Island, rabbit island day trip Jonelle Patrick View All Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. From here, change to the JR Kure line to Tadano-Umi Station. Shai took a trip to Ōkunoshima, Japan, otherwise known as The Rabbit Island. Okunoshima Island offers cute and cuddly bunnies for mass enjoyment. Japan’s Rabbit Island There are two competing theories on how Okunoshima became a rabbit mecca. Home › Japan › Hiroshima › Tours › Rabbit Island Lapin (in French), Rabbit (in English), Usagi (in Japanese) 12 min. From the creators of Tokyo Cheapo, Japan Cheapo is a site dedicated to helping you get the most from your yen while travelling around Japan.. More than 100,000 people visit Japan Cheapo each month for help in planning their trip to Japan. Bunny Island – Japan’s Rabbit Island. 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