Put up Abstract: All You Must Know About Bunny Island, Japan
With not one however two Cat Islands, Japan is thought for having tiny islands with vital populations of cute home animals. It’s possible you’ll already know this, however there’s additionally a Bunny Island in Japan, and it’s undoubtedly a Japanese journey bucket record merchandise!
Correctly referred to as Ōkunoshima, this small island is the place to go if you wish to see an island filled with bunnies! Like a lot of Japan, there’s extra to this place than first meets the attention. With lovely pure surroundings and intriguing historical past, there’s extra to do right here than take a look at rabbits, so right here’s what it’s best to know earlier than you go.
All About Bunny Island in Japan
Bunny Island Wasn’t At all times Rabbit Island
It began in 1971 when an elementary faculty launched simply eight rabbits on Ōkunoshima. Rabbits did what rabbits do, and the remainder is historical past. Which means they’re not technically wild rabbits, however they’re actually an enormous colony of feral, domesticated rabbits who’ve populated the island for nicely over 40 years. To be exact, these are European rabbits or ana-usagi in Japanese.
By 2013, there have been 700 rabbits, so you’ll be able to solely guess what number of there at the moment are! We love how the lovable sight of all these rabbits has a cute background, too. Nonetheless, there aren’t hundreds of thousands of them, so be sure to aren’t anticipating to see that many. It might be just a bit disappointing should you had been anticipating a literal sea of fluffy bunnies as quickly as you bounce off the ferry.
Rewind additional again in time – let’s say across the early-mid twentieth century – and also you’ll discover there have been rabbits on this island again then, too, however it wasn’t such a cute story, as you’re about to search out out…
Bunny Island Has A Darkish Historical past
At present, there’s a enormous kawaii attraction to Rabbit Island. Japan, nonetheless, hasn’t at all times been about cuteness. In reality, Ōkunoshima has a teensy little bit of darkness in its early years of contemporary historical past. Nicely, greater than a teensy bit.
In 1927, lengthy earlier than the rabbits had been launched, the Imperial Japanese Authorities arrange a manufacturing unit that manufactured numerous chemical weapons. Because the Geneva Protocol banned using chemical weapons in warfare, Ōkunoshima was nearly wiped from the map. It grew to become a really secret place; even the ferry port that takes you to the island at the moment nonetheless boasts a thick wall separating it from the remainder of the city.
Sadly, there have been some check rabbits for the chemical weapons launched in 1929, however they are saying American troops euthanized them within the late Nineteen Forties. There is no such thing as a proof that the bunnies these days are direct ancestors from their wartime pals, however I suppose a few of them might have lived and repopulated the island!
We’re accomplished with bringing you down about it, so try Ōkunoshima Poison Fuel Museum to be taught extra. Visiting close by Hiroshima can simply make you overlook that Japan throughout WWII wasn’t only a sufferer, so it’s important to get some perspective, which makes Ōkunoshima a very good place to go to.
Bunny Island is Not a Theme Park
Formally, Rabbit Island is a Nationwide Park Resort. The rabbits will chase you! They’re not really wild. And due to that standing, there are numerous guidelines to think about. We thought we’d simply run down just a few of them so that you don’t endanger the lives of those fluffy pals.
Firstly, you ought to be cautious if you cycle – rabbits aren’t at all times fast to maneuver away from site visitors, together with bikes!
Feeding the rabbits human meals shouldn’t be okay! The rabbits on Rabbit Island, Japan, are completely about their very own meals, which you should purchase there on the resort. Human meals isn’t for them. In reality, they’ll’t even digest potatoes correctly, so undoubtedly no chips. One other factor about feeding the rabbits right here is to be sure to don’t feed them on the highway; they are going to get distracted with their meal, and consuming on the roadside is dangerous for a rabbit.
They might look tremendous cute, however in all probability the most effective rule to consider shouldn’t be chasing after or holding them. Rabbits don’t wish to be held, and so they have sharp nails. Chasing and holding the rabbits will make them panic. Not cool!
In Japan, Rabbits Are Thought-about Good Luck
Bunny Island was well-known in Japan earlier than the remainder of the world took be aware. Sure, there’s the entire kawaii attraction of an island full to the brim with cute rabbits, however there’s additionally a special aspect to rabbits in Japanese tradition that makes the island that bit extra vital.
These critters are thought-about to be fortunate. They typically seem in Japanese folklore, tales, and whilst motifs on all method of issues – from kimono to ceramics. Rabbits will not be solely a part of the Chinese language-influenced zodiac that Japan makes use of, however they’re additionally thought-about intelligent, pals of Shinto (native Japanese faith) gods, and are related to spring.
And one remaining truth about rabbits in Japan: you recognize the Man within the Moon? In Japan, there isn’t a Man within the Moon; as a substitute, it’s a rabbit that folks see once they search for at these gentle and darkish patches on a full moon. It’s not simply any rabbit both, however a rabbit making mochi (rice cake) with a specialised conventional hammer. So now you recognize!
You, Will, Want To Know How To Get to Bunny Island
Rabbit Island, Japan, shouldn’t be the kind of place you’ll be able to fly to, like Tokyo or Osaka. It’s a small island situated in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, simply off the coast from the city of Tadanoumi within the west a part of the primary island, Honshu. Already that sounds extra difficult than a single flight, proper? It would require some legwork to get right here, however it’s actually doable.
You possibly can take the JR Kure Line east to Tadanoumi in direction of Mihara from Hiroshima. That’s fairly sluggish, so you’ll be able to at all times go for a 25-minute Shinkansen journey from Hiroshima as a substitute. From Mihara, it’s a bus journey to Tadanoumi.
From Osaka, we advocate that you simply take the very speedy westbound Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Mihara and alter to the bus from there. There’s a extra difficult journey you are able to do, however… it’s difficult! Main win when you have the coveted JR Go to make this journey occur. Plus, having a JR Go will imply that both of those choices shall be a good suggestion for you (and your price range). When you exit the prepare station, flip proper and the ferry terminal is lower than a five-minute stroll away.
To examine the prepare schedule, look on Hyperdia, and be sure to seize a JR Go earlier than you arrive in Japan.
From Tadanoumi, it’s a matter of catching the ferry to Ōkunoshima (right here’s the schedule). This prices 310 yen a method, takes about 20 minutes, and runs hourly, roughly. It is best to at all times examine the web site for circumstances, although. There was an enormous bunny signal letting you recognize you had been on the proper spot once I was there.
Bunny Island Has A Seashore!
And never simply any seaside; it’s a reasonably good stretch of pale sand lapped by a turquoise sea. Not solely do rabbits generally congregate on the sand – which makes for a formidable sight, to say the least – however so do people.
Deliver alongside one thing to put out on, be sure to pack a towel, and don’t overlook the sunscreen! Nonetheless, it’s not nearly catching some rays. Swimming right here undoubtedly makes for a refreshing factor to do on Bunny Island when the island (and most of Japan for that matter) will get fully boiling in the summertime months. Being a part of Japan’s Inland Sea, the currents are fairly calm, so you’ll be able to splash round within the sea.
Followers Of City Historical past Will Love the Island of Rabbits
Due to the fascinating (however barely darkish) historical past of Rabbit Island, Japan, there are numerous previous buildings left over from numerous phases of its existence. There’s the Poison Fuel Museum to go and see, after all, however the chemical weapons manufacturing unit itself continues to be standing.
You possibly can go see the large energy plant that served the manufacturing unit; it’s an unlimited, empty concrete constructing with vines creeping throughout it that makes for an eerie journey and distinctive photograph alternative (particularly for squeaky clear Japan!).
However there’s extra! Even additional again, round 1904-1905, when Japan was preventing a struggle towards Russia, ten forts had been constructed across the island. You possibly can go and see these too and get a way of the historical past of the place. There may be additionally an old-school lighthouse so as to add to the record of historic buildings that populate the island alongside the rabbits. You possibly can even go up the lighthouse for a surprisingly scenic view.
The sight of disused buildings across the place offers Rabbit Island, Japan, an attention-grabbing, virtually post-apocalyptic really feel, which is a extremely intriguing contradiction when you consider all of the bunnies right here.
Deliver Your Personal Human Meals to Bunny Island
Okay, so there’s just one restaurant on Rabbit Island, and there’s additionally just one espresso store. This might be superb if you’re visiting out of season. However throughout occasions like Cherry Blossom Season, Golden Week (the top of April to early Could), and the summer season months – particularly weekends – the island will get fairly busy with guests. It’s greatest to deliver your personal snacks alongside.
You should purchase just a few snacks on the Nationwide Park Resort Resort on the island, however our recommendation can be to choose up just a few totally different food and drinks objects from considered one of Japan’s unbelievable comfort shops.
Proper subsequent to Tadanoumi Station itself, there’s a Household Mart, the place you’ll be able to decide up every thing from freshly made espresso and delicate drinks to sushi and egg sandwiches. And belief us; all of it’s tasty. Comfort shops are every thing in Japan.
You Can Hike On Rabbit Island
It’s honest to say we’ve concluded that this place isn’t all in regards to the rabbits. There are undoubtedly numerous issues you can be doing on Rabbit Island, Japan, apart from photographing these rabbits (although they’re fairly cute). A kind of issues is climbing.
That’s proper – there are a good few climbing trails on the island, which is a majorly good factor as a result of it’s a lovely place. Not solely are you able to hint your approach across the coast on numerous strolling routes, however you may as well make your approach as much as the best level of the island. We extremely advocate doing this.
The view from the summit of Rabbit Island is a 360-degree panorama of what the Seto Inland Sea is known for – islands, and plenty of them. The sight of all these tiny islands layering up on the horizon is fairly gorgeous. The trailhead for this specific hike could be discovered between the campsite and the customer middle.
One other extra coastal stroll runs from Ōkunoshima Pier 1 and across the island’s south, the place there isn’t a highway – simply strolling trails. Right here is the place you’ll discover the historic lighthouse, wonderful sea views, attention-grabbing buildings leftover from occasions passed by, and perhaps just a few bunnies, too!
You Can Even Keep On Bunny Island in Japan
It’s possible you’ll suppose that is the type of place that’s solely value a day journey and nothing extra, however there will not be only one however just a few causes to remain on Rabbit Island in a single day. There’s the campsite which we simply talked about (with room sufficient for ten teams), and the Nationwide Park Resort Resort, which boasts its very personal onsen (sizzling spring). Even should you select the campsite, don’t fear; you’ll be able to benefit from the onsen even should you’re not a visitor – however you’ll need to pay an entry payment, after all.
First off, and particularly in case you are visiting throughout summer season or excessive season, you could wish to keep in a single day to get the place – and the rabbits – all to your self within the early morning. Secondly, staying in a single day undoubtedly offers the place a special vibe. It’s possible you’ll suppose it’s only a vacationer vacation spot, however you’ll have an unprecedented view of the celebs at night time. Plus, rabbits are extra nocturnal than they’re followers of hopping round within the daytime; you’ll get to see a special aspect to them, too.
Thirdly, staying right here might begin a singular option to see Japan by island-hopping across the Seto Inland Sea. This space of the nation is studded with islands, and the subsequent logical selection after Ōkunoshima is the a lot bigger Ōmishima to the south.
Catch the ferry from Pier 1 to right here. In reality, on Ōmishima, you’ll be able to decide up the well-known Shimanami Kaido biking route, which runs between Onomichi on the mainland and Imabari on the island of Shikoku.
How A lot Does Rabbit Island Price?
There is no such thing as a entrance payment to enter Rabbit Island. Your prices would be the prepare to get to Tadanoumi, in addition to the ferry on and off Okunoshima. You’ll additionally must account for issues like rabbit meals, and your personal private meals.
There’s not a lot on the island in addition to the museums and resort, so be sure to include sufficient money to get you something you could want. Your final probability at an ATM shall be in Tadanoumi.
Fast Japan Journey Ideas
‘Whats up’ and ‘Thank You’ in Japanese: “Kon’nichiwa” and “Arigatō”
Tips on how to say ‘Rabbit’ in Japanese: Usagi
Foreign money: Japanese Yen – (JPY) – ¥
Visa: Most Guests to Japan can enter visa free for as much as 90 days.
Climate: The climate on Okunoshima varies relying on season. Japan celebrates 4 seasons and there are lots of greatest occasions to go to Japan. Within the winter you’ll be able to count on colder, windy temperatures, whereas summer season is sizzling and humid. Spring and Fall are unbelievable occasions to go to because the air is cool and crisp.
What to Pack for Japan?
Questioning what to put on in Japan? You aren’t alone. Japan could be difficult to pack for as there are such a lot of kinds you’ll be able to go along with, and naturally, each season is totally different.
We’ve traveled to Japan throughout all their 4 seasons. Most of Japan is a four-season nation, and winter journey is vastly totally different than summer season. Listed here are the important Japan packing record objects to deliver with you relying on the season you go to!
Store For Journey Insurance coverage
We don’t journey with out journey insurance coverage, and neither must you. You by no means know what can occur abroad, and it’s greatest to be ready. HeyMondo gives wonderful brief and long-term journey insurance coverage insurance policies.
