Let’s Go To Bunny Island!

What part of ALL THE SNACKS don't you understand? — What part of ALL THE SNACKS don’t you understand?

If your squee-meter isn’t totally burnt out after Fox Village, it certainly will be, after we check out BUNNY ISLAND!

Okunoshima isn’t easy to get to, but that’s why there’s an entire chunk of land off the coast of Japan where adorable bunnies run free, without fear of being eaten (or, obviously, having their natural urges curbed in any way).

Rabbits, rabbits, everywhere! Even though it was pouring rain on the day we were there, the stalwart bunnies did not falter in their mission to beg their weight in bunny snacks.

I was afraid wild bunnies might be sort of scruffy looking or reverting to jack-rabbity ranginess, but no! They were all super cute and fluffy. — I was afraid wild bunnies might be sort of scruffy looking or reverting to jack-rabbity ranginess, but no. They were all super cute and fluffy.

And in good health too – I hardly saw any that looked like they could use a trip to the vet. — And in good health too – I hardly saw any that looked like they could use a tune-up at the vet.

At the barest rustle of a snack sack, they start to gather around... — At the barest rustle of a snack sack, they start to gather around…

...and step up to eat right out of your hand. — …and step up to eat right out of your hand.

In fact, "not shy" hardly begins to describe these bunnies' attitude when it comes to mobbing rabbit-chow-dispensing humans. This is my friend Kendall, who will sadly never be able to enjoy a mere rabbit café again. — In fact, “not shy” hardly begins to describe these bunnies’ attitude when it comes to mobbing rabbit-chow-dispensing humans. This is my friend Kendall, who will sadly never be able to enjoy a mere rabbit café again.

I know these bunnies are supposed to be wild, but they seem suspiciously adept at posing for selfies.

Of course, they're so damn cute, you barely notice that you're beginning to look like the victim of a bunny stampede. — Of course, they’re so damn cute, you barely notice that you’re beginning to look like the victim of a bunny stampede.

Wet, but undeterred, this small girl was the object of serious bunny devotion, on account of how tantalizingly low her snack bag was to the ground.

Of course we paid a visit to the island's shrine, even though these days it is attended only by rabbits. — Of course we paid a visit to the island’s shrine, even though these days it’s attended only by rabbits.

Couldn't resist this Peter Rabbit-y looking bun, even though he was kind of wet. — Couldn’t resist this Peter Rabbit-y looking bun, even though he was kind of wet.

Okay, admit it – you want to go now, don’t you? But if – like me – you’d like to avoid spending the night in a hotel, here’s how I did it as a day trip from Tokyo:

How to get to Bunny Island (Okunoshima) and back in one day (from Tokyo):

First, here are the trains I took. These are the ones heading from Tokyo to Tadano-umi, where you catch the ferry to Bunny Island:

And here are the trains I took back to Tokyo:

The Kure Line doesn't run as often as trains in Tokyo. If you're planning to come back at a different time, check the schedule below. — The Kure Line doesn’t run as often as trains in Tokyo. If you’re planning to come back at a different time, check the schedule below.

The ferry to Okunoshima leaves from a terminal that is about a five-minute walk from the Tadano-umi train station. To get there, go out the exit to the street and turn right. Walk along that street until you see a sign for the ferry terminal (to your right).

The ferry ride takes 12 minutes, and costs ¥300 each way. You buy your round trip ticket (¥600) at the little office near the ferry launch, and you can buy bags of bunny food there too. The only place to buy it on the island is at the hotel, and you will be sorry you don’t have food for the mob of bunnies that rush to greet you at the dock, so I advise getting at least a few bags in advance!

Here’s the ferry schedule:

One thing to be careful about on your return trip is to be sure you’re waiting at the right pier. There are two docks, and they’re not next to each other.

Note: I bought my round-trip shinkansen tickets in advance and used my regular Suica card for the Mihara to Tadano-umi leg (although you can of course use your JR rail pass for both, if you have one). You can also buy a local Kure Line ticket to Tadano-umi at Mihara station.

Use the Train Finder website or download a free Japan Travel mobile app to your phone (I use Navitime Japan Travel) to plan your trip, then take the train itinerary screen shots to the shinkansen ticket office at one of the JR stations in Tokyo and hand them to the ticket agent to make your reservations.

So what are you waiting for? Come on down! And bring me ALL THE SNACKS!

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for
Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon

For three hundred years, a missing tea bowl passes from one fortune-seeker to the next, changing the lives of all who possess it…*read more*

“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

6 thoughts on “Let’s Go To Bunny Island!”

darsword says:

June 16, 2015 at 4:11 am

Yes, my squee factor went through the roof! SO CUTE!! And that last Peter Rabbit with hydrangea!!!!! I’m looking to move to central Oregon where rabbits and little squirrels rule. This revs me up for the move!

1. Jonelle Patrick says:
  
  June 16, 2015 at 7:07 am
  
  Oregon has a LOT of rabbits! I want to see pictures after you train all the bunnies to come running when they hear the rustle of the food bag!
  
  1. darsword says:
    
    June 17, 2015 at 9:12 am
    
    I bet I will be posting tons of pictures. There is one black bunny who comes up to see what you are doing in the yard. I can’t wait. I hope it all goes through! Just listen for a lot of squeeing! :0D
  2. Jonelle Patrick says:
    
    June 17, 2015 at 9:34 am
    
    Looking forward to seeing those! Fingers crossed that your dream comes true! ^_^
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Let’s Go To Bunny Island!

Published by Jonelle Patrick

6 thoughts on “Let’s Go To Bunny Island!”

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