Yes, there’s actually a whole island in Japan with a sea of rabbits on it. We’re talking more than a thousand, nose twitching, furry and feral bunnies. Okunoshima is their paradise home where they chill, sun themselves out, run around with human visitors going “aww” everywhere and of course, multiply by the minute. Never mind if you’re not a rabbit person, one visit here will surely change that! There is also a mysterious history to go with these rabbits and the island. So come along, as we take you through everything you need to know about this unique rabbit island in Japan.
What Is It?
Situated in the Seto Inland sea of Japan, Okunoshima is home to a huge rabbit population where they run free, are well-fed every day and can just live life king size. A short ferry ride will get you to his bunny paradise where you can camp, go for a walk, soak in the history and of course, play with them bunnies! The rabbits are super friendly and love their human visitors as well as some treats.
History
All may be well now but the island harbours a dark history of Japan. Now a rabbit island, it was previously a top-secret location during World War 2 for chemical weaponry. Rabbits had been bought in to be used as test subjects for poisonous gases and chemicals. Nobody knows for sure if these rabbits began to grow and multiply from when the experiments were stopped. Some think the rabbits were let loose here by some school kids and since have thrived in large numbers. What do you think? Let’s head to Japan?
What Else?
Well, whatever be the reason, the current bunny residents are happy and content, maybe even a tad bit too content. We hear that the fast multiplying rabbit population might be taking a toll on the environment. And the rabbits themselves are on a diet of cabbage, which is actually not good for their health. And so, the average life of a bunny here is just 2 years.
What’s more, the top-secret chemical weaponry has now been converted into a museum where you can learn all about the troubled past of this island. And for more details, watch this:
Address: Rabit Island, Tadanoumicho, Takehara, Hiroshima 729-2311, Japan