Japan has an entire island populated with bunnies! 

Imagine an island where rabbits reign supreme – a place where they feast without fear, bask in the absence of predators, and leisurely pose for adoring human admirers. Welcome to Ōkunoshima, a petite gem nestled in the Seto Inland Sea, just two miles off the coastline of Takehara, a Japanese city in Hiroshima Prefecture. While often affectionately referred to as Usagi Jima, or Rabbit Island, its popularity arises from the numerous feral rabbits that have made it their haven.

The curious tale of how these bunnies came to live in this serene haven remains a mystery. It’s a striking contrast to the island’s earlier claim to notoriety as the covert production site for significant quantities of poison gas by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. This facility, so clandestine that the island itself was erased from Japanese maps, churned out mustard gas, phosgene, and other toxic agents. Tragically, these substances were unleashed upon Chinese soldiers and civilians during the conflict in China, leading to the loss of around 80,000 lives by some estimations, casting a somber shadow on the island’s past.

A probable explanation

The origins of this captivating rabbit haven trace back to 1971 when an elementary school introduced a mere eight rabbits to Ōkunoshima. As nature took its course, these rabbits followed their instincts, and the rest, as they say, is history. Interestingly, while they may not be classified as wild rabbits, they’ve transformed into a substantial community of feral yet domesticated rabbits that have inhabited the island for a remarkable span of over four decades. In more precise terms, these are European rabbits, affectionately known as ana-usagi in Japanese.

Fast-forwarding to 2013, the rabbit populace had burgeoned to a staggering 700. One can only imagine how much this number has swelled since then! The endearing aspect of this bunny-filled landscape is complemented by an equally charming backstory. However, it’s important to set expectations realistically – while the sight of these fluffy companions is undeniably heartwarming, the island isn’t teeming with millions of them. So, as you step off the ferry on your visit, keep in mind that while the rabbit presence is delightful, it might not be a literal sea of bunnies as some might imagine.

Peak into the history

Today, Rabbit Island exudes an immense kawaii charm that Japan has become renowned for. Yet, this country’s history isn’t always adorned with cuteness. In the case of Ōkunoshima, a tinge of darkness lingers in its early modern chapters – to be honest, more than just a mere tinge.

Back in 1927, well before the bunnies made their appearance, the Imperial Japanese Government established a factory dedicated to crafting various chemical weapons. As the Geneva Protocol outlawed the use of such weaponry in warfare, Ōkunoshima found itself practically erased from the maps. A shroud of secrecy enveloped the island, so much so that even today’s ferry port, which connects visitors to the island, remains separated from the town by an imposing wall.

Regrettably, test rabbits were introduced to this sinister purpose in 1929. By the late 1940s, American troops were tasked with euthanising them. While there’s no concrete evidence that today’s bunnies are direct descendants of those wartime companions, it’s conceivable that some may have survived and contributed to the island’s current population.