Thousands of rabbits ‘occupy’ the Japanese island

The Japanese island of Okunoshima is famous for being home to thousands of rabbits.
Okunoshima or Usagi Shima is a small, lovely island in Japan.

Okunoshima Island in the city of Takehara is the site of an important toxic gas plant during World War II. After the war ended, the healthy rabbits were released into the wild, those that had been used to test chemical weapons were exterminated. Rabbits proliferate more and more, making the island now known as “rabbit island”. Today, hundreds of rabbits do not hesitate to roam the caves and alleys on the island. They are all wild rabbits, but are very friendly and approachable, especially with food handlers. Thousands of rabbits ‘occupy’ the Japanese island The island was hidden until 2014 when a video of a woman playing with lots of rabbits went viral on social media. Since then, people know more about the island and it attracts a large number of tourists every year. Visitors to Okunoshima are allowed to bring and feed the rabbits, as well as pet and play with them. In winter, the amount of food in the natural environment is scarcer, visitors bring food is also very good for the rabbits. Visitors reach the island by ferry from the coastal towns of Tadanoumi and Ōmishima. After landing, it only takes 1.5 hours for visitors to walk around the island. The island is now part of a national park and has several facilities such as the Okunoshima National Resort Village. There is accommodation, hot springs and local delicacies, as well as a campsite and the Okunoshima Tourist Center for guests. In addition to cycling, tennis, fishing, visitors can swim in the sea and swim in the outdoor swimming pool in the summer. Hoang Dung (translation summary)