Sometime between 2012-2013, a video and GIF set made its rounds on Tumblr of a Japanese girl being chased by a massive swarm of wild rabbits for a bag of food in her hand. Another video popped up of a foreign tourist lying down on the beach for another swarm to dogpile on him, burying his entire body. As it turned out, both videos took place on Rabbit Island, located off the coast of Hiroshima.
The idea of a magic island of half-domesticated rabbits ready to immediately bury you in fluff sounded like a dream. It only took a decade, but I finally managed to get there and experience it for myself with my roommate. It was a wonderful time, and the island is more than just home to rabbits. It’s also an educational facility.
How to get to Rabbit Island
Access to Rabbit Island can vary from your arrival destination. If you’re coming from Hiroshima Airport, you’ll take two buses to the ferry. Or you can arrive by the Shinkansen from Osaka. I ended up flying from Narita to Hiroshima. A better explanation can be found on the island’s website.
On the ferry, we purchased rabbit feed. It’s not for sale on the island. This was our only chance to have something to get the rabbits’ attention. Also, they had ice cream and a few souvenirs. The coffee mugs are stunningly cute. The ferry ride was nap time.
Arriving in Fluffer Town
Once on the island, several rabbits ready to receive free food immediately greet guests. Campsites around the island are free of charge. Many Japanese locals take weekend trips to camp and set up BBQ pits on the island. It is obvious, but if you plan to do this, bring trash bags and plan to take your trash with you when you leave. Some food trucks are set up near the campsites as well.
Now, onto the fun parts. Were there rabbits? Hundreds. Thousands. Everywhere you looked, furry friends ran around, played, and eagerly begged for food. They are anything but shy, timid, or afraid here. We ventured to the island’s northwest side, away from the campsites, and found an empty spot. Five rabbits were playing around, but the minute we shook the food bags, several of their friends came out of hiding. Quickly, five rabbits became twelve, and I was in the grass, half-covered in fur. If happiness was tangible, I am sure we have just found it.
Not as Innocent as it Looks
As mentioned earlier, the island doubles as an educational facility. During World War I and WWII, officials used the island as a poison gas production facility. You can find abandoned fortresses, storage buildings, inactive defense outposts, and so on around the island. Although most facilities have strict no-entry policies, a stale aura still hangs around them. Those renovated buildings authorities converted into exhibit spaces are troubling to observe.
Little of the exhibit has English translations. Although disclaimers around the archives say no one ever used the poison gas in war times, you leave thinking that’s impossible to believe because documents date the facility’s official usage. Today, the Hiroshima local government uses the museum as a declaration in acknowledgment of the horrors of war and the detriment it brings.
The island’s history shows just from walking around. Past attempts to renovate the island and transform it into something other than a symbol of death litter every corner. Abandoned tennis courts and overgrown nature trails hint at when it was a private resort island. There’s much to explore, and grim air floats around the island that can’t be ignored until the next flock of bunnies runs up to play with you.
But Was Rabbit Island Kawaii?
Overall, the trip was well worth it. Cute, fluffy, and everything I could have asked for. Better than any animal café in Harajuku. If you’ve ever considered venturing outside the typical tourist spots in Japan, I cannot recommend this enough. Check out their official website for more information.
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Japan loves making Playboy bunny costumed figurines of nearly every anime girl ever! Are you a fan of Azure Lane or Danganronpa? Hippidy-hop over to JBOX and check out our playfully cute Shimakaze and Kyoko Kirigiri figures!
