Otherwise known as Rabbit Island, Okuno-jima is home to a dark past. During World War II, it was used by Imperial Japan for research and development of chemical weapons. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)
An island east of Hiroshima is a place to make friends with a population of nearly 1,000 wild rabbits.
Otherwise known as Rabbit Island, Okuno-jima is home to a dark past. During World War II, this island was used by Imperial Japan for research and development of chemical weapons.
Many of the buildings remain, but as nature reclaims the place, it takes on the look of a scene from TV’s “The Last of Us.”
Many of Rabbit Island's World War II-era buildings remain, but as nature reclaims the place, it takes on the look of a scene from TV’s “The Last of Us.” (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)
The island is accessible only by a short, 15-minute ferry ride. Bringing your vehicle along is discouraged unless you plan on taking a connecting ferry to Omishima.
I used Tadanoumi Port, which has a large, free parking lot for ferry passengers. A round-trip ferry ticket costs 740 yen, or about $5.11, for adults and 380 yen for children.
Before you board, pay 200 yen for some rabbit food where tickets are purchased. It’s your last opportunity for rabbit food before reaching the island.
How the rabbits ended up there is unclear, though they may have been released to help detect poisonous gas leaks, according to the island’s website.
Many of Rabbit Island's World War II-era buildings remain, but as nature reclaims the place, it takes on the look of a scene from TV’s “The Last of Us.” (Jonathan Snyder)
How the rabbits ended up on Okuno-jima is unclear, though they may have been released to help detect poisonous gas leaks, according to the island’s website. (Jonathan Snyder)
Spend a full day on Rabbit Island if you really want to explore. A hotel and campgrounds are available for overnight stays. The hotel costs 15,200 yen a night; a camp site costs 3,600 yen. Advance reservations are recommended since it does book up during the busy summer season.
When you exit the ferry onto the island, a free shuttle bus will take you to the hotel, although anyone can ride.
Japan's Rabbit Island is accessible only by a short, 15-minute ferry ride. Bringing your vehicle along is discouraged unless you plan on taking a connecting ferry to Omishima. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)
I ended up renting an e-bike to get around the island more quickly and see more sights. A normal bicycle rented from the front desk at the hotel costs 600 yen for two hours; an e-bike costs 800 yen.
While on the island, make sure to check out the Poison Gas Museum to learn about the island’s dark history. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is 100 yen for adults and 50 yen for children.
Otherwise known as Rabbit Island, Okuno-jima is home to a dark past. During World War II, it was used by Imperial Japan for research and development of chemical weapons. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)
On the QT
Directions: 1-2-1 Tadanoumi Nakamachi, Takehara, Hiroshima 729-2316
Times: Ferries depart for Okuno-jima between 7:40 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. The schedule can very throughout the year and on weekdays and weekends.
Costs: Free parking; round-trip ferry tickets are 740 yen for adults and 380 yen for children.
Food: A restaurant at the hotel offers breakfast and dinner buffets.
Information: Online: rabbit-island.info
