Ōkunoshima, widely recognized as Japan’s ‘Rabbit Island,’ is located in the Seto Inland Sea, within Hiroshima Prefecture. This small island is home to thousands of free-roaming rabbits, making it a unique and popular destination for animal lovers and curious travelers alike. While the rabbits are the primary draw, the island harbors a deeper history filled with unsolved mysteries and a complex past tied to Japan’s wartime era.

The video shares insight into why Ōkunoshima became an island shrouded in intrigue. In the early 20th century, the island was used as a site for secret chemical weapon production, a fact kept hidden from the public for decades. The origins of the rabbit population are also debated, with some saying they were released by schoolchildren after World War II, while others link them to abandoned laboratory animals. Today, the thriving rabbit colony attracts visitors from around the world, but questions remain about their true origins and how the island transformed from a place of secrecy to a haven for animals and tourists.

Besides its adorable rabbit residents, Ōkunoshima offers a unique blend of beautiful scenery and somber historical sites, such as the Poison Gas Museum and the remains of wartime factories. Visitors can reach the island via ferry from Tadanoumi or Omishima. While enjoying picturesque walking trails and immersive animal encounters, travelers are encouraged to reflect on the island’s intriguing transformation. Whether you’re interested in history, animal encounters, or off-the-beaten-path destinations in Japan, Ōkunoshima presents an experience unlike any other.