Okunoshima Island

Okunoshima Island offers a unique blend of natural beauty, fascinating history, and adorable wildlife. Even if you are not an animal lover, but are rather a history buff, Okunoshima is still well worth a visit. Although Japan was a signatory to the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibiting chemical warfare, just four years later in 1929, a secret chemical weapons factory was built on Okunoshima, the history of which is explored at the Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum.

Okunoshima, also known as Rabbit Island or Usagi Shima, is situated in the eastern part of Hiroshima prefecture. Accessible via a quick 15-minute ferry ride from the mainland, this tiny tourist destination has become recognized around the globe for its fascinating bunny population.

Yes, you can stay on Okunoshima Island. There is the Kyukamura Okunoshima hotel on the island, where you can stay overnight. The hotel also offers facilities for day-use bathing, camping, cycling, fishing, and other activities, making it a great place to spend a relaxing day.

Okunoshima Island has several intriguing historical remains that offer a glimpse into its past. These include the Southern Fort Remains, the Ocean Water Tank Remains, the Power Plant Ruins, and the Gunpowder Storehouse Remains.

The Okunoshima Island Poison Gas Museum is a significant historical site on the island. It tells the often horrific story of poison gas production that took place on Okunoshima during a secretive period in history.