Hiroshima Prefecture

Okunoshima Rabbit Island

Rabbit Island looks cute at first — but Okunoshima has a much deeper story.

Okunoshima, often called Rabbit Island, is a small island in Hiroshima Prefecture known for its hundreds of rabbits, peaceful Seto Inland Sea views, and serious wartime history as a former poison gas production site. This guide covers how to get to Okunoshima from Tadanoumi Port, what to do on the island, how to visit the rabbits responsibly, where to stay, and how to continue your journey toward Omishima in Ehime.

Listening tubes overlooking the Seto Inland Sea on Okunoshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

Wild rabbits resting in the shade on Okunoshima (Rabbit Island), Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

Visitors walking through a tunnel toward the former poison gas facilities on Okunoshima

I’ve heard about Rabbit Island in Hiroshima for a couple of years now and have noticed it becoming increasingly popular on social media. Maybe that’s why I kept skipping Okunoshima, or "Rabbit Island." I thought it was already too much like a theme park and too popular for me to write about.

But after visiting for work this May, I realized I was wrong to think Okunoshima was just a cute island.

Way before it became famous as Rabbit Island, Okunoshima was a secret site for the production of poison gas. From 1929 until the end of World War II, poison gases such as mustard gas and Lewisite (arsenic-based chemical weapon) were produced here, and the island was even removed from maps because of its military secrecy.

That’s why it’s hard to sum up this island in just one sentence.

Today, the island is peaceful, beautiful, and full of rabbits. But you can still see signs of Japan’s wartime history in the landscape. Even the story of the rabbits is more complicated than just a "wild animal paradise."

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Where Is Okunoshima, and How Do You Get There?

Okunoshima is a small island in Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, in the Seto Inland Sea. Today, many people call it "Rabbit Island," and it is also part of a special sea route between Hiroshima and Ehime.

Quick access summary

Main access: JR Tadanoumi Station → walk to Tadanoumi Port → ferry to Okunoshima
Ferry time: about 15 minutes
Booking: usually no advance reservation needed for regular passenger tickets
Onward route: Okunoshima → Sakari Port, Omishima, Ehime

Most people reach Okunoshima by taking a ferry from Tadanoumi Port, which is close to JR Tadanoumi Station. The port is just a short walk from the station, and the ferry ride takes about 15 minutes. Ferries run every 30 to 45 minutes, but it’s a good idea to check the latest schedule before your trip.

You usually don’t need to book regular passenger tickets ahead of time. Just buy your ticket at Tadanoumi Port before you board. It’s still smart to arrive a bit early, especially on weekends, holidays, or if you want to buy rabbit food or use the facilities before your ferry.

You can visit Okunoshima as a day trip from places like Hiroshima, Mihara, Onomichi, or Takehara. But if you look closely at the ferry route, you’ll see something interesting.

Okunoshima can also be a stopover between Hiroshima and Ehime. The ferry connects Tadanoumi Port, Okunoshima, and Sakari Port on Omishima Island in Ehime.

This means you can visit Rabbit Island and then keep traveling by sea toward the Shimanami Kaido islands.

Why Okunoshima Is More Than Japan’s Cute Rabbit Island

Most people hear about Okunoshima because of the rabbits. They are usually the first thing you notice when you arrive, whether they are resting in the shade near the port, running along the paths, or suddenly appearing from behind the trees.

I was skeptical at first, but I ended up charmed by them, too. It’s hard not to be.

But Okunoshima is much more than just cute rabbits.

As I mentioned in the beginning of this article, from 1929 until the end of World War II, Okunoshima was used by the Imperial Japanese Army to produce poison gas. Because this chemical weapons production was secret, the island was removed from maps until 1945.

Around the island, there are remains of old gun batteries, powder magazines, storage buildings, and a former power plant.

During our visit, we walked around the island with Shinmoto-san, a local expert from Tadanoumi. He became interested in Okunoshima’s history while in school, and since then, he has spent much of his life helping others understand the island’s complicated past.

To him, Okunoshima is more than a tourist spot. He believes it should be remembered properly.

Walking with him made me see how quickly a place can be known for just one thing online. Okunoshima is called "the cute rabbit island," and Tadanoumi is known as "the port before Rabbit Island." But both places have much deeper stories. Rabbits may be the reason many people arrive, but the island’s history is what makes Okunoshima matter.

Shinmoto-san explaining the former poison gas factory and wartime sites on a map of Okunoshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

Why Are There Rabbits on Okunoshima?

Today, Okunoshima is famous as Rabbit Island in Japan, but no one knows for sure where the rabbits originally came from.

A common story is that after Okunoshima opened to tourists, local schoolchildren brought rabbits to the island in the early 1970s. Some sources say that eight rabbits were released in 1971, and their numbers grew from there.

Rabbit sitting beneath seaside trees on Okunoshima (Rabbit Island), Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

There are other stories and rumors, too, like the idea that today’s rabbits might be linked to the poison gas factory era. However, official tourism sources say their exact origin is unknown, and recent reports suggest that some rabbits may have been left on the island by people later on.

The Problem with Feeding Rabbits on Okunoshima

Today, there are about 400 to 500 rabbits on the island. They aren’t native wild animals. Instead, they are domesticated rabbits that have become semi-wild and now live in Okunoshima, which is part of a protected national park.

This puts the rabbits in a tough spot. Since the island is a government-protected national park and the rabbits aren’t part of the original ecosystem, they can’t be managed like pets or cared for like shelter animals. They also aren’t native wildlife that naturally belong there.

Instead, they’re somewhere in between, close to people and dependent on them, but hard to manage in any official way. Even so, the rabbits still need water and often depend on food from visitors. If leftover food isn’t picked up, it can rot, harm the environment, and attract wild boars, crows, rats, or other animals.

If you bring food for the rabbits, please don’t leave it on the ground and walk away. Stay with them while they eat. If there’s any food left, pick it up and throw it away properly when you return to town. Feeding them might seem kind, but leaving food behind can actually do more harm than good.

Things to Do on Okunoshima Beyond the Rabbits

1. Walk or cycle around the island slowly

Okunoshima is about 4 km around, making it easy to explore slowly on foot. There are wider paved roads for bicycles and island vehicles, and quieter walking paths where you can experience the trees, ruins, rabbits, and sea views more closely.

You can rent a bicycle at Kyukamura Okunoshima to circle the island more comfortably, but I recommend walking at least part of the route.

The island is not just a collection of "spots." It is a place where the mood changes as you walk. One moment, it feels like a peaceful, almost paradise island with views over the Seto Sea. Next, you may come across a ruin that reminds you of the island’s wartime past.

2. Visit the Poison Gas Museum

If you only do one thing on Okunoshima besides seeing the rabbits, visit the Okunoshima Island Poison Gas Museum.

The museum is small, but it gives essential context to the island. It explains the island’s role in poison gas production, the impact of chemical weapons, and the people connected to this history.

After visiting the museum, I recommend walking to the nearby memorial area. Near the old Okuno Shrine, now closed to visitors for safety, you can see the Poison Gas Victims Memorial and many folded paper cranes. In Hiroshima, paper cranes are often linked to prayers for peace, and here they felt especially powerful. The memorial honors those who suffered and died from the island’s poison gas production and postwar disposal work.

For me, it felt almost surreal to stand there, watching rabbits nap beside paper cranes swaying softly in the sea breeze, now that I knew the island’s darker story.

3. See the war ruins

Around Okunoshima, you can still find many remains connected to the island’s military history.

Some ruins date back to the Geiyo Fortress period in the late 19th century, when the island was used for coastal defense. Others are connected to the poison gas factory period from 1929 to 1945, when Okunoshima was used by the Imperial Japanese Army to secretly produce chemical weapons.

Important ruins on Okunoshima include the Power Plant Ruins, Nagaura Poison Gas Storage Ruins, Laboratory Ruins, etc.

These ruins are one reason Okunoshima feels different from many other islands in the Seto Inland Sea. They are physical reminders of what happened here. If you visit, please treat these places with respect. Some areas are restricted or unsafe, including parts of the Power Plant Ruins and storage facility ruins, so do not enter closed-off spaces.

4. Spend time with the rabbits responsibly

Of course, many people come to Okunoshima to see the rabbits. Watching them move freely around the island is a memorable experience, but please remember that they are not pets in a controlled environment.

The safest way to enjoy the rabbits is to observe them calmly.

Sit nearby, take photos without chasing them, and let them approach you if they want.
Do not pick them up, surround them, or force interaction.
Feed them only a little at a time and stay with them while they eat. Do not leave food on the ground and walk away.
If anything is left, pick it up and dispose of it properly after returning to town. Leftover food can rot, attract other animals, and harm the island environment.
Please also avoid giving them bread, sweets, snacks, or other human food. Bring proper rabbit food from the mainland if you want to feed them.

For more info please read the official guidance here.

Where to buy rabbit food: Buy it before taking the ferry, either at the shop in Tadanoumi Port or near JR Tadanoumi Station.

Responsible travel on Okunoshima means enjoying the rabbits without turning them into photo props. They are part of the island’s story now, and they deserve care, distance, and respect.

5. Look across the Seto Inland Sea

One of the most beautiful parts of visiting Okunoshima is realizing where you are on the map.

The island sits in the Seto Inland Sea, surrounded by islands, ports, and ferry routes. On a clear day, the sea looks calm, almost like a lake. Boats move slowly between islands, and the landscape feels connected by water.

This is where Okunoshima becomes more than a day trip.

If you are interested in slow travel, this island can be a doorway into a deeper Setouchi journey. From here, you can continue by ferry to Omishima in Ehime, one of the islands of the Shimanami Kaido.

For travelers who want to go beyond the usual Japan route, this is a beautiful way to connect Hiroshima and Ehime by sea.

How to Continue from Okunoshima to Omishima, Ehime

One of the most interesting things about Okunoshima is that it can also be part of a sea route between Hiroshima and Ehime. The Omishima Ferry route connects Tadanoumi Port, Okunoshima, and Sakari Port on Omishima Island in Ehime.

This means you can travel like this:

Hiroshima / Takehara → Tadanoumi Port → Okunoshima → Sakari Port, Omishima → Shimanami Kaido / Ehime

Omishima is one of the islands along the Shimanami Kaido, known for Oyamazumi Shrine, citrus fields, quiet villages, cycling routes, and a very different pace from Japan’s major cities. It is also where Inner Japan plans to build a small residence for slow travelers in the near future.

Can You Stay Overnight on Okunoshima?

Yes, you can spend the night on Okunoshima. The island’s main place to stay is Kyukamura Okunoshima, a resort hotel with ocean views, onsen baths, a restaurant, and easy access to walking paths and rabbits. According to Hiroshima’s official tourism site, it’s the only hotel on the island.

If you stay overnight, you can enjoy the island at a slower pace, especially in the quiet early mornings and evenings after most day visitors have gone. Plus, as I heard from the local guide, rabbits are most active during these times, which is why some people choose to stay overnight.

However, Okunoshima is quite small, so staying overnight isn’t necessary for everyone. If you prefer a quieter local base before or after your visit, I suggest staying in Tadanoumi. This gives you easy access to the ferry and a chance to explore the town, not just Rabbit Island.

You could stay at Akari Tadanoumi, a renovated 100-year-old house about ten minutes on foot from Tadanoumi Port. Staying here can make your trip feel more relaxed and gives you time to explore Tadanoumi, Takehara, Onomichi, or even visit other Seto Inland Sea islands.

The best option depends on how you like to travel. Stay on Okunoshima for the full island experience, or choose Tadanoumi if you want a slower pace and a more local feel before or after your visit.

Owner of Akari Tadanoumi Guesthouse standing inside the guesthouse café and communal space in Tadanoumi, Hiroshima.

Don’t Skip Tadanoumi Before Visiting Okunoshima

If you are not continuing on to Ehime and decide to return to Hiroshima via the Tadanoumi ferry, I definitely recommend spending a little extra time exploring the area before heading back.

During our visit, Shinmoto-san, a local from Tadanoumi, guided us around Tadanoumi. He spoke about his deep connection to the area and his hope that more people would not only learn about Okunoshima’s deeper story, but also take time to explore his hometown.

Tadanoumi used to be one of two Kitamae-bune ports in Takehara City, along with Takehara itself. Kitamae-bune were merchant ships that traveled between ports in Japan, carrying things like salt, rice, and other local products. Because of this trading history, you can still find old streets and beautiful houses in the area.

If you have some extra time, consider staying in Tadanoumi before or after your trip to Okunoshima instead of leaving right away. Akari Tadanoumi guesthouse is a great option.

This renovated 100-year-old house is just a 10-minute walk from the port. It’s a nice spot to spend a few quiet nights, use as a relaxed base for visiting Okunoshima, Onomichi, or even Hiroshima City (since Tadano-Umi Station is only 3 min away!), or just stop in for a lunch made with local ingredients.

Staying close by changes how you experience Okunoshima. It’s no longer just a quick visit to "Rabbit Island." Instead, it becomes part of a larger Seto Inland Sea story.

To make your trip even more special, you can combine Okunoshima with other nearby places. Takehara is known for its historic streets, old merchant houses, sake culture, and peaceful atmosphere. From there, you can also continue toward Osakikamijima, a quiet island in Hiroshima Prefecture reached by ferry, known for citrus, shipbuilding, and slow island life.

Inner Japan’s Deeper Setouchi Route

Inner Japan is currently developing a deeper Setouchi route connecting Takehara, Okunoshima, Omishima, and Kamijima.

The idea is not just to "visit Rabbit Island."

We want to create a journey for travelers who are interested in more than famous sightseeing spots. People who want to understand why a place feels the way it does. People who want to meet local stories, not just collect locations.

Palm trees and open lawns on Okunoshima with views across the Seto Inland Sea.

Abandoned military bunker entrance on Okunoshima, partially hidden by vines and fallen leaves.

Group of rabbits resting together in the shade on Okunoshima, Japan’s Rabbit Island.

Next year, we are also planning to create the Inner Japan Omishima Residence on Omishima, a small stay for slow travelers who want to experience Setouchi more deeply.

If this kind of journey sounds like the Japan you are looking for, you can follow our upcoming Setouchi route and future residence project!

Okunoshima may begin with rabbits. But if you look deeper, it opens a much wider story.

FAQ: Visiting Okunoshima, Rabbit Island

Final Notes from Inner Japan

This guide is not meant to tell you not to visit Okunoshima. It is the opposite.

I think places like Okunoshima should be visited, but with more attention.

Some places in Japan are beautiful because they help us rest. Some places are important because they make us think. Okunoshima is both.

Wild rabbit resting near a coastal tunnel on Okunoshima, with visitors in the background

It is an island where rabbits rest in the grass beside the ruins of a secret poison-gas factory. And it is also a small ferry stop in a much larger Setouchi story, connecting Hiroshima, Takehara, and Ehime by sea.

So if you go, don’t only bring a camera. Don’t forget to pack curiosity, care, and enough time to explore.

And please, don’t let Rabbit Island be only about rabbits.

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