Okuno-shima where rabbits live



The island is theirs !

Japan was struggling to modernize herself for her survival and prosperity after debuting on the world stage in the latter half of the 19th century. One critical effort made in those days was to establish fortifications in the Seto Inland Sea area in preparation for possible attack by foreign forces.

This peaceful island was once part of the fort built in those days and still has ruins from that part of the history. It also has legacies from the Imperial Army’s poison gas plant which stood on this island from 1929 to 1945. Furthermore, the island was condemned by the US occupation forces and used as the ammunition storage base when the Korean War was fought.

The island is where you should be conscious of the history of war in the 19th century. There stands the Museum of Poison Gases, small but worth visiting.

At the same time, the scenery around the island is enchanting with placid waters and islands. Seasonal flowers please your eyes and there are lots of rabbits. Yes, some hundred rabbits live on this island. They are half tamed and welcome your cabbage. Rabbit food in pellet is sold at an only hotel on the island. The Visitor Center displays the photos of those rabbits taken by tourists.    

A little girl and I holding the crab, Sep. 2011 

In addition, a male helmet crab lives in a tank at the Visitor Center. This guy was caught by a fisherman about two years ago by chance and has been kept there for about two years. Hermit crabs are said to live some 25 years and become matured in around 13 years. A male links himself to a female once they mate. They stay linked for the rest of their life. Weird?

The island is four kilometers in circumference, and the circular road along the sea is three kilometers long and the summit of the hill is 100 meters high. Just the right size for you to have a day’s outing.

A day’s tour from the city of Hiroshima is easily enjoyed. If you have a JR pass, the tour is very affordable. You only have to pay for the boat rides (600 yen round trip). If not, it’s still not bad. I’m offering a tour to the island. Include this island in your itinerary. You won’t regret.



Ruins of Battery

Summit of the small mountain, vantage point for the view