Okunoshima Rabbit Island: How to Visit Hiroshima's Famous Bunny Island

What Is Okunoshima and Why Visit?

Okunoshima (大久野島) is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, about one hour from Hiroshima city. It is known for two things: approximately 1,000 wild rabbits that roam freely across the island, and its dark history as Japan's secret poison gas production facility during World War II.

The island is tiny — roughly 4 kilometers around the circumference — with a single hotel, a museum, and very little else. That simplicity is part of the appeal. You step off a 15-minute ferry and enter a place where rabbits hop up to you on paths, in fields, and around the ruins of wartime buildings. It is one of Japan's most unusual day trips.

Okunoshima is one of several Hiroshima island destinations worth considering, alongside the more famous Miyajima day trip from Hiroshima. While Miyajima draws visitors for its shrine and mountain, Okunoshima offers something entirely different — wildlife interaction and wartime history in a compact, walkable setting.

Getting to Okunoshima from Hiroshima

Train and Ferry Route

The route from Hiroshima to Okunoshima involves two segments:

Segment	Transport	Time
Hiroshima Station → Tadano-umi Station	JR Kure Line	~45 min
Tadano-umi Port → Okunoshima	Ferry	~15 min
Total one way		~1 hour

From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Kure Line to Tadano-umi Station (忠海駅). The ferry port is a short walk from the station. Ferries to Okunoshima depart regularly and the crossing takes about 15 minutes. Check the ferry schedule before your visit — the current timetable is not confirmed in available 2026 sources, so verify departure times directly at the port or through the ferry operator's website.

The JR Kure Line fare from Hiroshima is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The ferry is a separate ticket — bring cash, as ferry tickets are cash-only.

What to Buy Before Boarding the Ferry

This is critical: rabbit food is not sold on Okunoshima island. According to Dive! Hiroshima, rabbit pellets and treats are available at convenience stores and shops near Tadano-umi Station and the port. These often sell out, especially on weekends and holidays.

Buy rabbit food before you board the ferry. If the station-area shops are sold out, bring your own chopped vegetables — carrots, lettuce, and cabbage are all safe for rabbits. Do not bring bread, snacks, or processed human food.

Also bring:

• Cash (ATMs are scarce on the island)
• Water and your own snacks (limited food options on the island)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sun protection in warmer months

Meeting the Rabbits: What to Expect

The rabbits on Okunoshima are wild animals (野生ウサギ, yassei usagi) — not domesticated pets. They have become habituated to human visitors over decades and will approach you willingly, especially if you have food. But they are still wild animals with natural behaviors, and some may have dirt on their noses or rough-looking fur. This is normal.

Where to Find the Most Rabbits

According to Dive! Hiroshima, the highest concentration of rabbits gathers around the Kyukamura resort hotel area. The grassy fields near the hotel and the paths leading away from the ferry dock are reliable spots.

Rabbits are most active around 10:00 AM, making a morning arrival ideal. By midday, especially in summer, many rabbits retreat to shade. Evening visitors also find active rabbits if staying overnight.

The rabbits are present year-round — they do not hibernate in winter. Visiting in cooler months means fewer tourists and more attentive rabbits (less competition for food).

What Food to Bring

Safe to feed: Chopped carrots, lettuce, cabbage, commercial rabbit pellets Do NOT feed: Bread, rice, chocolate, sweets, processed snacks, or any human food

Place food on the ground or in your open palm. Do not try to feed directly into a rabbit's mouth — this is how bites happen. If a rabbit nips at your fingers, it is going for food, not being aggressive.

Rabbit Interaction Rules and Etiquette

The rules exist to protect both the rabbits and visitors. According to Dive! Hiroshima, the main rules are:

• Do not chase rabbits — let them come to you. Sit or crouch and hold food; they will approach
• Do not pick up rabbits — they are wild animals and can be injured by handling. Lifting them can cause panic, leading to kicks and falls that break their spines
• Do not pet rabbits unless they clearly initiate contact by sitting next to you. Even then, be gentle
• Do not interact with rabbits on roads or in front of building entrances — this puts both rabbits and visitors at risk from vehicles and foot traffic
• Dogs, cats, and other pets are strictly prohibited on the island to protect the rabbit population
• Do not leave food scattered — uneaten food attracts crows and can harm the rabbits' health

These rules are taken seriously. Okunoshima's rabbit population depends on responsible visitor behavior.

The Island's WWII History: Poison Gas Museum

Okunoshima has a darker side. During World War II, the island was chosen as a secret production site for poison gas — its isolation and small size made it easy to conceal from maps. The Poison Gas Museum (毒ガス資料館) on the island documents this history with photographs, equipment, and explanations of the facility's operations.

The museum is small but sobering. Ruins of the production facilities are also visible around the island, partially overgrown — concrete structures that stand in stark contrast to the rabbits hopping through the grass.

Visiting the museum adds important context to the island experience. Okunoshima is not just a cute animal destination — it carries a significant historical weight that most English-language coverage underemphasizes.

Hours and admission for the Poison Gas Museum are not confirmed in current sources — check on arrival or inquire at the Kyukamura resort.

Staying Overnight at Kyukamura Resort

Kyukamura Okunoshima (休暇村大久野島) is the only accommodation on the island — a National Park Resort Hotel operated by the Kyukamura chain. Staying overnight lets you experience the island in the morning and evening when day-trippers have left and the rabbits are most active.

The resort offers Japanese and Western-style rooms, an onsen bath, and meals. Specific rates are not confirmed in available sources — check the Kyukamura website or Japanese booking platforms (Jalan, Rakuten Travel) for current pricing and availability.

The area around the resort is where the most rabbits gather, so overnight guests have a front-row seat. Morning rabbit encounters before the first ferry brings day visitors are a particular highlight.

Booking in advance is recommended, especially for weekends and holiday periods. The hotel is the only option on the island — if it is full, you must return to the mainland.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Day trip timing: Arrive on a morning ferry (aim for the island by 10:00 AM when rabbits are most active). Allow 3-4 hours for rabbit interaction, a walk around the island, and the Poison Gas Museum. Check the return ferry schedule — missing the last ferry means an unplanned overnight.

What to bring:

• Rabbit food (bought at Tadano-umi Station area — not available on the island)
• Cash for ferry tickets and any island purchases
• Water and snacks (no convenience stores on the island)
• Comfortable walking shoes with grip
• Sun protection and rain gear depending on season

Best time to visit: Mornings around 10:00 AM for active rabbits. Weekdays for fewer crowds. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather. Winter has fewer tourists and active rabbits. Summer is hot and humid — arrive early.

Facilities on the island: One hotel (Kyukamura), one museum (Poison Gas Museum), public restrooms, and very little else. There are no convenience stores, no ATMs, and no restaurants outside the resort.

Photography: Rabbits are photogenic and cooperative — they will sit still for photos, especially while eating. A phone camera is sufficient. For the best shots, get low to ground level.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get from Hiroshima to Okunoshima?

About one hour total: approximately 45 minutes by JR Kure Line from Hiroshima Station to Tadano-umi Station, then 15 minutes by ferry from Tadano-umi Port. Add waiting time for the ferry departure — check the schedule in advance and plan to arrive at the port with time to spare.

Can I pick up or pet the rabbits on Okunoshima?

No. The rabbits are wild animals. Do not chase, pick up, or pet them — handling can injure them, and lifting a rabbit can cause fatal spinal injuries if they panic and kick. Let them approach you and place food on the ground or in your open palm. If a rabbit sits next to you voluntarily, gentle contact is acceptable.

How long should I spend on Okunoshima?

A day trip of 3-4 hours covers rabbit interaction, a walk around the island (about 4 kilometers), and a visit to the Poison Gas Museum. An overnight stay at Kyukamura resort allows a more relaxed pace and the chance to see rabbits in the morning and evening when day visitors have left.

Is there food available on Okunoshima?

Limited. The Kyukamura resort has a restaurant for guests and day visitors, but there are no convenience stores, cafes, or other dining options on the island. Bring your own snacks and water. Importantly, rabbit food is not sold on the island — buy it near Tadano-umi Station before boarding the ferry.

Can I bring my dog or cat to Okunoshima?

No. Dogs, cats, and other potential predators are strictly prohibited on the island to protect the wild rabbit population. This rule is enforced — leave pets at your mainland accommodation.