Rabbit Island Hidden History Tour
Description
Hop on a bicycle and explore the story of Okunoshima — guided by a local expert and friendly rabbits! Okunoshima is a small island in the warm Seto Inland Sea, surrounded by a stunning landscape of over 700 islands. Today, it’s known for its hundreds of wild rabbits, offering visitors a sense of peace and healing. But behind its charm lies a forgotten past — Okunoshima was once removed from maps due to its dark wartime history. Why was this beautiful island hidden? What truths lie beneath its quiet surface? Join us on a unique cycling tour that traces the island’s dramatic story — with a knowledgeable guide and rabbits as your playful companions. *Important Information ・This is a shared group tour. Other participants may join the same departure. ・Minimum of 2 participants is required for the tour to operate. ・Weather policy: If the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts a 60% or higher chance of rain by 12:00 PM the day before the tour, it will be cancelled with no cancellation fees.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The lighthouse is currently prohibited to enter in. So you can view the lighthouse from a short distance and view beauty of scenery from here.
Okunoshima is a small island with a circumference of about 4 km, a little west of the Shimanami Kaido that connects the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. It is a Seto Inland Sea National Park, and you can enjoy the change of nature every season.
Okunoshima shrine is only one shrine in this island, but It is now also home to rabbits.
It was a storage facility for tanks filled with poison gas, but for safety reason, currently prohibited to enter in. So you can view the it from a short distance.
This power plant was used when poison gas was secretly made here. For safety reason, currently prohibited to enter in. So you can view the it from a short distance.
This is gun battery ruins in Okunoshima. You can see it closely.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(19)
I learned about Okunoshima cycling and history and was able to see the beautiful scenery
このたびはツアーにご参加いただき、そして嬉しい口コミをお寄せいただきありがとうございます。 サイクリングに加えて、大久野島の歴史や景色も楽しんでいただけたとのこと、大変励みになります。島ならではのゆったりとした時間も感じていただけていたら何よりです。 季節ごとに異なる表情が見られる場所ですので、ぜひまた機会がありましたら足を運んでみてください。 再びお迎えできる日を心よりお待ちしております。
The guide was very easy to understand and explained Okunoshima, which was great.
このたびはツアーにご参加いただき、そして心温まる口コミをお寄せいただきありがとうございます。 ガイドの説明が分かりやすかったとのお言葉をいただき、とても嬉しく拝見しました。大久野島の魅力や歴史をお伝えできていましたら何よりです。 当日のひとときが、思い出のひとつになっていましたら嬉しいです。季節によって違った表情も楽しめますので、ぜひまた遊びにいらしてください。 またお会いできる日を心より楽しみにしております。
We had the loveliest day! Our guide, Junko, is the kindest Person ever. She showed us around the island and told us many a thing about its history. We could tell that she is really passionate about educating people about the terrible past of Okunoshima and preserving its history, yet also showing people how beautiful the nature is today. We saw lots of cute and friendly bunnies, too! 10/10 would book this tour again! Btw we came down from Hiroshima, you can go to Tadanoumi Port via Bus (1:40 hr from Hatchobori) or with the JR Pass via Shinkansen (Sanyo Line to Mihara, then Kure Line). It was definitely worth the travel time.
Thank you very much for your heartfelt review! We’re glad that you could see many cute rabbits, and we’re also grateful that you took the time to travel all the way to Okunoshima. It makes us very happy that you felt both the history and the beauty of the island. We truly appreciate your kind words, and we’d love to welcome you back again anytime.
This was the highlight of my trip to Japan. My guide Junko was so very passionate about this island and the experience that she would share with the world. There is more to the island that just bunnies. The history shows a side unknown to the world. I plan on returning soon and hope to provide some encouragement to a small group of dedicated people working so hard to preserve this island.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It means so much to us that you felt the history and spirit of Okunoshima, beyond just the charm of the bunnies. Your encouragement truly gives us strength to continue sharing this island with visitors from around the world. I sincerely hope we can welcome you back again one day!
The island offers amazing natural view and historical site. The place full of bunnies. It was wonderful place to visit.
Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful natural views, historical sites, and, of course, the friendly bunnies. We hope to welcome you back again soon to explore more!
Nice guide tour around explaining history and sight of the island, even limited time can still enjoy the experience on the island. A little far to go up to the electric tower, but the view is decent there, just have to evaluate the time you need to get back to the port. Didn’t have time to experience bicycle ride, probably next time
Thank you for your review! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the guided tour and the island’s sights, even with the limited time. We hope you’ll have the chance to enjoy the bicycle ride next time and explore even more of the island. We look forward to welcoming you again!
The island offers scenic walking and cycling paths with lovely coastal view. It was once the site of a secret chemical weapons factory during World War II. There are many many tame rabbits that roam freely. There's a hotel and a camping ground to stay over.
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re glad you enjoyed the scenic walking as well as the beautiful coastal views. It’s great to hear that the friendly rabbits made your visit even more memorable. We look forward to welcoming you back and hope you can enjoy a longer stay next time.
The cute bunnies and beautiful Seto inland sea makes my mind peaceful, hope I could go here again to join marine activities in summer time!!
Thank you for your review! We’re so glad the bunnies and beautiful Seto Inland Sea helped you find peace. We also hope you’ll come back in the summer—it will be a wonderful time to explore even more of what the island has to offer. We look forward to seeing you again!
This place has a nice view, lots of cute rabbits, beautiful sea with clear and pristine water. I am also impressed of the history that this place was erased from the map due to poison gas production.
Thank you for sharing your impressions! We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful views, the rabbits, and the clear sea. We’re also grateful that you took interest in the island’s complex history. We hope to see you again!
The tour guide shared many things I didn’t know before, which made me feel that 90 minutes wasn’t nearly enough. Ōkunoshima definitely deserves more time to explore.
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear your insights. While 90 minutes may have felt short, Ōkunoshima certainly has much more to explore. We hope you can come back and enjoy even more next time!
