Okunoshima Island: The Bizarre History and Stunning Attractions on Japan’s Bunny Island
Okunoshima is a tiny island in the Seto Inland Sea famous as Japan’s “Bunny Island.” The wild rabbits found all over Okunoshima have made it a popular destination for tourists, and there’s lots of wonderful beaches, camping grounds, and more for nature-lovers to enjoy. However, Okunoshima Island also has a dark history as a producer of poison gas, which has led to many abandoned buildings tantalizing history buffs. In this article, we’ll guide you through the highlights and history of Okunoshima Island to help you plan your ultimate Okunoshima itinerary!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
What's So Special About Okunoshima?
The tiny 4 km Okunoshima Island is a part of Hiroshima Prefecture, in the Chugoku region of Japan, but it was once removed by the Japanese government from maps. From the mid 1920s, Okunoshima Island was managed with the purpose of producing poison gas, and was kept hidden in order to protect this top secret program.
Our Top Tips
JR Pass for Whole Japan
Explore Japan in the most convenient and economical way with a Japan Rail Pass! It is valid for the majority of railways and local buses operated by JR.
Today, many sightseers come to the island to explore the abandoned buildings. Remains of the island's poison gas storehouses, barracks, and power plant still exist. Okunoshima feels like exploring a mysterious, lost world, making for a fun and thrilling adventure to uncover as many relics as you can!
Thankfully, the island has now been designated as a national park, and is also known for the hundreds of wild rabbits that live there. These rabbits are all of the European variety, so they live by making burrows all over the island. They are mostly unafraid of humans, and will often approach you, making for plenty of heartwarming moments!
It takes about 12 minutes to reach Okunoshima by boat from Tadanoumi Port in Takehara, making it surprisingly accessible.
Power Plant Ruins
One of the biggest abandoned buildings on Okunoshima is the site of the former power station. The deterioration of the building has made it dangerous, so visitors are not permitted to enter, but you'll be able to walk up to the front of the building. Enveloped in a unique atmosphere, this horror game-esque building is sure to make you feel the depth of history.
Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum
There were many victims of the poison gas produced on Okunoshima. This museum was created to tell this history and ensure that the painful truth is not forgotten.
Through authentic documents, relics of the time, and more, the museum educates visitors on the production of poison gas and the horrors of war, all the while emphasizing the importance of peace.
Okunoshima Camping Ground
If a day-trip isn't enough, you can camp on Okunoshima while being surrounded by nature and a stunning ocean view! Best of all, all the gear you'll need is available for rent - including a tent! There's also a campfire spot, hot spring, and of course, plenty of cute rabbits!
Okunoshima Island: A Bizarre Mismatch of Cute Rabbits and Dark History
For such a small island, Okunoshima has so much to offer. From intriguing history to adorable rabbits, and plenty of encounters with the great outdoors, you're sure to have a wonderful time!
If you want to give feedback on any of our articles, you have an idea that you'd really like to see come to life, or you just have a question on Japan, hit us up on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
Translated and republished with permission from：Relux Magazine
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
About the author
