Ōkunoshima (大久野島?) is a small island located in the Inland Sea of Japan
in the city of Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is accessible by ferry from
Tadanoumi and Ōmishima. There are campsites, walking trails and places of
historical interest on the island. It is often called Usagi Shima (ウサギ島?,
"Rabbit Island") because of the numerous wild rabbits that roam the
island; they are rather tame and will approach humans. Despite its size, the
island played a key role during World War II as a poison gas factory for much
of the chemical warfare that was carried out in China.
(Japan) – Let’s travel to Rabbit Island Ōkunoshima in the Inland Sea |
After the war, the poison was disposed of and the laboratory
animals were set loose. With no natural predators native to the island, they
quickly spread and now there are hundreds of tame rabbits roaming around.
(Japan) – Let’s travel to Rabbit Island Ōkunoshima in the Inland Sea |
Cute, adorable, cuddly, sweet and lovable; you're likely to
run out of adjectives while trying to adequately sum up this odd occurrence
taking place on the Japanese island of Okunoshima.
(Japan) – Let’s travel to Rabbit Island Ōkunoshima in the Inland Sea |
There is an estimated population of 300 rabbits on the
island today. And, of course, that population is continuing to grow. The island
is now also becoming something of a tourist destination as people from all
points in Japan come to see the feral rabbits. Tourists bring cameras to take
photographs and video cameras to film videos of the endemic creatures
frolicking about.
(Wikipedia, Atlas obscura, Digital Journal)
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