The Enigmatic Origins of Rabbit Island
Okunoshima, located in the Inland Sea of Japan, is famously known as 'Usagi Jima' (Rabbit Island). While the presence of hundreds of free-roaming European rabbits draws thousands of tourists annually, the island's history is somber. According to the Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum, the island served as a secret chemical weapons manufacturing site for the Imperial Japanese Army between 1929 and 1945.
History vs. Legend
| Site | Historical Fact | Local Legend |
|---|---|---|
| Okunoshima Rabbits | Introduced after WWII; likely escaped from local schools or were released by visitors. | Descendants of test subjects used in chemical experiments during the war. |
Essential Travel Information
- Access: Reach the island via a 15-minute ferry from Tadanoumi Port.
- Transport: Ferries are operated by Sanyo Shosen.
- Safety: Do not feed rabbits human food. Purchase approved rabbit pellets at Tadanoumi Port.
- Respect: Do not pick up or chase the rabbits. They are wild animals and can bite.
Internal Resource Clusters
- Hiroshima travel itinerary
- Japan rail pass guide
- Ethical wildlife tourism in Japan
- Day trips from Hiroshima
- Japan budget travel guide
- Solo travel in Japan
- Packing for Japanese islands
- Cultural etiquette in Japan
- Navigating Japanese train stations
- Japan ferry travel guide
Article Methodology & Sources
This guide was compiled using official data from the Kyukamura Okunoshima Resort and transit schedules provided by Sanyo Shosen. Ethical wildlife guidelines are based on recommendations from the Ministry of the Environment, Japan.
Editorial Methodology & Trust
Last Updated: July 2, 2026
Every Shaivio guide is created through editorial research using publicly available information from official tourism authorities, transportation providers, government resources, and other reliable references where applicable. Our editors review and update content regularly to improve accuracy and usefulness. Shaivio does not accept paid placements or sponsored rankings in editorial content. Because travel information can change, we recommend verifying critical details with the relevant official source before traveling.
