Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Okunoshima Rabbit Island

You may have heard of this furry destination by a variety of names: Usagi Shima, Okunoshima, Rabbit Island, or Bunny Island.

Okunoshima (大久野島) is Japan’s famous rabbit island where these fluffy creatures have taken over the mostly uninhabited land.

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.

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.

With this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about visiting Japan’s Okunoshima Rabbit Island in one place.

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Where is Okunoshima?

Okunoshima is a small island located in the Inland Sea of Japan, approximately 70 km (43 miles) east of the city of Hiroshima.

Where did the rabbits come from?

Originally, rabbits were brought to Okunoshima as test subjects in 1929 when the military began producing chemical weapons secretly on the island.

While rumors have circulated that the rabbits were released after the war and populated the island with their direct descendants, most experts believe that the original rabbits were most likely euthanized.

So if the test bunnies weren’t responsible for all of the rabbits on Okunoshima today, then where did the rabbits come from?

It’s believed that several rabbits were brought over and released by schoolchildren around 1971.

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.

How many rabbits are on Rabbit Island?

Today it’s estimated that there are around 1,000 rabbits on the Japanese island.

Is Rabbit Island worth visiting?

Okunoshima is a beautiful island to bike around while learning about its significant history during World War II— and its lasting effects— alongside furry friends.

The ruins of the former buildings still remain and the signage that explains each of the abandoned sites provides for an educational experience.

For those visiting with the sole purpose of interacting with the rabbits, be prepared for a bit of a different experience than planned.

The island is currently overrun by the mammals and as a result, there is a lack of vegetation for them to feed on.

The rabbits have ended up depending on tourists for food, which is often not appropriate or nutritious for the animals.

The scarcity of proper food has led to health issues, illnesses, and injuries from fighting amongst the other rabbits.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see rabbits with lacerations or severe wounds. 

Can you feed the rabbits?

While wildlife experts don’t recommend feeding wild animals, the practice is wildly accepted and encouraged on Okunoshima.

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.

Other important things to remember that will help the rabbits

• Don’t feed them any human foods or snacks.
• Don’t feed them cabbage or lettuce. Although many tourist and blog sites say you can buy vegetables from the convenience store before you hop on the ferry, these leafy greens are extremely innutritious for rabbits and even harmful for their digestive system, often causing bloating.
• Don’t pick them up, chase them, or try to force interaction with them. While they might look friendly, they can become aggressive if stressed.

Can you live on Okunoshima Rabbit Island?

No, the only people who live on the island are those who work at the island’s resort.

What else is there to do on Okunoshima?

While the main attraction of the island is of course the rabbits, Okunoshima offers a small selection of activities, including the following:

• Poison Gas Museum
• Abandoned sites throughout the island with explanations
• Hot spring
• Camping
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Tennis
• Fishing

How do you get to Rabbit Island from Hiroshima?

Here’s the easiest way to get to Rabbit Island Okunoshima from Hiroshima:

1. Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (bullet train) to Mihara Station (~30 minutes)

2. At Mihara Station, transfer to the Kure Line (a local train) bound for Hiro (3 stops, ~25 minutes)

3. Get off at Tadanoumi Station

4. Turn right and walk down the street until you hit the bridge

5. Follow the road to the right which will take you to the ticket office and pier (~10 minutes’ walk from the station to the ferry)

In total, from Hiroshima to the ferry, it’ll take about an hour and 15 minutes and more or less ￥3810.

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.

How much does it cost to go to Rabbit 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.

What time does Rabbit Island open?

The island does not close, but the ferries to Okunoshima from Tadanoumi port begin at 7:40 in the morning with services running approximately once per hour until 7:15 p.m.

This was the most recent schedule as of January 2021. You can find and verify the latest ferry timetable here.

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