Okunoshima (Rabbit Island)
Chugoku Region
Ōkunoshima, often called Rabbit Island, is a small island located in Japan's Inland Sea, part of Hiroshima Prefecture. It is renowned for its large population of friendly, free-ranging domestic rabbits that approach visitors, making it a unique natural attraction. Historically, the island played a significant role during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II as a secret chemical weapons production site, manufacturing mustard gas and tear gas under the Imperial Japanese Army. The island was chosen for its isolation and security, with harsh working conditions for those employed at the poison gas factory. After the war, the chemical weapons facility was dismantled and the island was developed as a park, where rabbits were intentionally released. Ōkunoshima also features walking trails, campsites, and remains of old military forts, although entry to many ruins is prohibited due to safety concerns. The Ōkunoshima Poison Gas Museum, opened in 1988, educates visitors about the island's wartime past and the devastating effects of chemical weapons, promoting peace awareness. The island is accessible by ferry and is part of the Inland Sea National Park system, offering a blend of natural beauty and poignant historical significance.
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Tip: The best time to visit Ōkunoshima is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is mild, and the rabbits are most active. Visitors are advised to purchase ferry tickets in advance during peak seasons to avoid delays. Feeding the rabbits is popular but should be done with appropriate food to ensure their health. Hunting or harming rabbits is strictly prohibited, and pets like dogs and cats are not allowed on the island. The Poison Gas Museum provides English summaries, making it accessible for international visitors interested in the island's history.
Zajímavosti
- •Ōkunoshima was once removed from some maps to keep its chemical weapons plant secret.
- •The island produced over six kilotons of mustard gas and tear gas during its operation.
- •Rabbits on the island are descendants of domestic rabbits released after WWII, not from wartime testing animals.
- •The island is connected to the mainland by the Chūshi Powerline Crossing, Japan's tallest powerline.
- •The Poison Gas Museum includes artifacts donated by families of workers affected by toxic exposure.
Historie
Originally a cultivated area with a few fishing families, Ōkunoshima was fortified with ten forts during the Russo-Japanese War.
In the late 1920s, the Imperial Japanese Army established a secret chemical weapons plant on the island, producing large quantities of mustard and tear gas.
Despite Japan's signing of the 1925 Geneva Protocol banning chemical warfare, the island's chemical munitions plant remained highly secretive.
After World War II, the facility was dismantled, and documents destroyed.
The island was later developed as a park, and rabbits were introduced, leading to its nickname, Rabbit Island.
The Poison Gas Museum opened in 1988 to memorialize this dark chapter and educate the public.
Průvodce po místě
Ōkunoshima Poison Gas Museum1988
A small museum dedicated to the island's history as a chemical weapons production site. It contains exhibits on the factory's construction, working conditions, and the effects of poison gas on humans, including artifacts donated by victims' families.
Walking Trails and Campsites
The island offers several walking trails that allow visitors to explore its natural beauty and historical ruins safely. Campsites are available for those wishing to stay overnight in a natural setting.