Why this remote Japanese island keeps going viral–meet the island’s most unusual residents

Picture yourself landing from a boat and suddenly finding yourself surrounded by numerous bunnies jumping towards you with excitement. This is exactly what occurs on a tiny island located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan and known worldwide as the "Rabbit Island." Filled with hundreds of free-ranging rabbits, this strange island of Japan attracts many tourists as it offers something out of the ordinary. There are no automobiles, no bustling markets, and no skyscrapers to vie for your attention; instead, people come here only to have an entire day filled with bunnies! This island is situated off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture and is accessible by a short ferry ride from Tadanoumi Port. Even though Ōkunoshima is a tiny place, it draws in people from around the world for its animals. The instant one gets off the ferry, rabbits can already be seen at the ferry port, since apparently they know that new arrivals might have something to eat.What makes this visit special and unique is the utter absence of fear in animals. In contrast to rabbits living in the wild, who instantly vanish when they see someone approaching, the rabbits on Ōkunoshima are used to being visited. They move around hiking paths, lie down under trees, run in open fields, and sometimes follow visitors with rabbits' food.The rabbits have made such an impact on this island that now, many people who plan to visit Japan often include a tour of Ōkunoshima on their list. With social media being involved, there are numerous video clips that feature the islanders' quick interactions with the rabbits upon reaching the location.However, Rabbit Island has more than just rabbits in its past.In the earlier part of the 20th century, this area was used for producing chemical weapons by the Japanese government. Before and during World War II, poison gas was made here, and the entire process was shrouded in secrecy as evidenced by how the map failed to include this place for some time. People interested in exploring the area's past can now visit the Poison Gas Museum. The presence of such an interesting history coupled with rabbits gives this island an identity different from other destinations in Japan.In addition to the bunnies, visitors can enjoy coastal scenery, hiking trails, quiet beaches, and even bicycling around the island. In fact, many visitors spend hours just walking around the island's tranquil environment as groups of bunnies come out of nowhere.It is encouraged to behave appropriately when interacting with the animals. There are some rules related to feeding the bunnies, and tourists are discouraged from chasing, picking up, or stressing the animals at all, although they can get quite close.For those tourists who want a break from the typical attractions found throughout Japan, including its cities, shrines, temples, and sakura, there's no place like Rabbit Island. Not many other places in the world offer an opportunity to walk among hundreds of wild bunnies in the forests, meadows, and along the coast.Indeed, in this place, the bunnies are not just an attraction—they are the main attraction. And judging by the smiles of visitors stepping off the ferry, they seem perfectly happy with that arrangement.