Okunoshima Rabbit Island Complete Guide — 外国人観光客向け大久野島ガイド

Welcome to Okunoshima — The Rabbit Island

Okunoshima is a small island located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan, in Hiroshima Prefecture. Known as “Rabbit Island” (Usagi Jima), it is home to hundreds of wild rabbits that roam freely across the island. While it has become a popular tourist destination, the rabbits face serious challenges including water shortages and lack of food. This guide will help you make the most of your visit while also helping protect the island’s beloved residents.

How to Get to Okunoshima / 大久野島へのアクセス

From Hiroshima Station / 広島駅から

Take the JR Kure Line from Hiroshima Station to Tadanoumi Station (approximately 1.5 hours, around ¥1,300). From Tadanoumi Station, it is a short 5-minute walk to Tadanoumi Port. Ferries operated by Onomichi-Imabari Route depart regularly and take about 15 minutes to reach the island. The round-trip ferry ticket costs approximately ¥620 for adults.

From Shikoku (Ehime) / 四国側から

From Omishima Island on the Shimanami Kaido, you can take the Omishima Ferry to Okunoshima (about 13 minutes, ¥310 one way).

By Car / 車の場合

Drive to Tadanoumi Port. There is a parking lot near the port (approximately ¥500/day). Cars are not allowed on the island — it is pedestrian only.

What to Bring / 持ち物

Essential Items / 必須アイテム

• Water bottles (2-5 liters) — The rabbits are always thirsty. Bringing extra water to fill their water bowls is the most impactful thing you can do. / ペットボトルの水（2〜5リットル）— うさぎたちは常に喉が渇いています
• Rabbit pellets — Available at pet stores. Do NOT bring bread, cookies, chocolate, or human food. / うさぎ用ペレット — パン、お菓子、チョコレートは絶対NG
• Comfortable walking shoes — The island has gravel paths and hills. / 歩きやすい靴
• Sun protection — Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses (summer). / 日焼け止め・帽子
• Your own food and drinks — There are no convenience stores on the island. / 自分の食事と飲み物（島内にコンビニはありません）

Do’s and Don’ts on the Island / マナー

DO / して良いこと

• ✅ Sit down to the rabbit’s eye level and let them come to you / しゃがんでうさぎの目線に合わせ、向こうから来るのを待つ
• ✅ Gently pet their backs / 背中を優しく撫でる
• ✅ Fill water bowls when you find them empty / 空の水入れを見つけたら水を入れる
• ✅ Report injured rabbits on the SOS Map / 怪我したうさぎをSOSマップで報告
• ✅ Take all your trash home / ゴミはすべて持ち帰る

DON’T / してはいけないこと

• ❌ Never pick up or hold rabbits — Their bones are extremely fragile. A fall can be fatal. / 絶対に抱き上げない — 骨が非常に脆く、落下は致命的
• ❌ Never chase rabbits — They can die from stress-induced heart attacks. / 追いかけない — ストレスで心臓発作を起こすことがある
• ❌ Never feed human food — Bread, snacks, and chocolate are toxic to rabbits. / 人間の食べ物を与えない
• ❌ Never use flash photography — It can damage their sensitive eyes. / フラッシュ撮影禁止
• ❌ Never leave trash on the island — Rabbits may eat plastic and die. / ゴミを残さない

The Reality Behind “Rabbit Paradise” / 「うさぎの楽園」の現実

While Okunoshima is often marketed as a “rabbit paradise,” the reality is that these rabbits face daily struggles. Fresh water is scarce — there are no natural water sources on the island. During summer, many rabbits suffer from dehydration. Natural vegetation has been overgrazed, leaving the rabbits dependent on food brought by tourists.

When tourist numbers drop (especially in winter and during the pandemic), the rabbits face severe food shortages. Many do not survive the winter months.

How You Can Help / あなたにできること

Use the SOS Map / SOSマップを活用する

Our volunteer community has built a real-time SOS Map where visitors can share the latest information about water levels, food availability, and injured rabbits across the island. When you visit, open the map on your smartphone to check which areas need water the most, and report your water refills with one tap.

Volunteer Activities / ボランティア活動

You don’t need to join any organization. Simply bringing 5 liters of water and filling empty water bowls around the island makes a huge difference. This “self-volunteer” approach has been spreading among visitors, and it all started through this website.

If you want to connect with other volunteers, visit our community forum where both Japanese and international volunteers share information and organize group activities.

Getting Around the Island / 島内の移動

Okunoshima is small enough to walk around in about 2-3 hours. The perimeter path is approximately 4 km. There is one hotel on the island — Kyukamura Okunoshima — which offers accommodation, meals, and hot spring baths. A shuttle bus runs between the ferry pier and the hotel.

Key spots include the Poison Gas Museum (documenting the island’s wartime history), the lighthouse, observation deck, and various ruins from the wartime era. Rabbits can be found throughout the island, with larger populations near the hotel and campground areas.

Make Your Visit Count / あなたの訪問を意味あるものに

Every visitor who brings water and shares information on the SOS Map contributes to saving rabbit lives. Your visit is not just tourism — it can be an act of compassion. Open the SOS Map, check where help is needed, and become part of the community protecting Okunoshima’s rabbits.