Takehara travel guide and discussion

📍 Spot Overview Located in Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, "Okunoshima" is affectionately known as Rabbit Island. With a large population of wild rabbits living there, it is a highly popular destination as a relaxing paradise. However, the island has its own unique rules and tips for a comfortable visit, so be sure to check them out before you go! ① 🐰 Rabbit food is NOT sold on the island! This is the most important point! There is absolutely no rabbit food sold on the island. Make sure to buy some at the shop in the "Tadanoumi Port Terminal" before crossing over to the island. ② ✉️ Trade your empty food bags for a postcard!? Leaving trash on the island is strictly prohibited. To prevent the rabbits from accidentally swallowing plastic, always take your empty food bags home with you. When you return from the island, drop off your empty bags at the Tadanoumi Port shop where you bought them, and you can amazingly exchange them for an adorable original postcard! ③ 🚶♂️ Exploring "on foot" is highly recommended It takes about an hour to walk around the entire island. Rental bikes are available, but if your main goal is hanging out with the rabbits and snapping lots of photos, exploring on foot is definitely the best choice! By the way, there is also a free shuttle bus running between the ferry terminal and the main plaza (accommodation facilities), making getting around a breeze. ④ 🕊️ The island's dark historical background It may be a peaceful rabbit haven today, but during World War II, Okunoshima was known as the "island erased from the map" because it housed a secret poison gas factory. Exploring the ruins on the island (such as the remains of the poison gas storehouses) and diving deep into its history is another vital part of the Okunoshima experience. 🍦 Recommended Gourmet Treat Once you arrive on the island, you can't miss the famous "Rabbit Booger Vanilla Soft Serve"! Topped with cocoa peanuts, it's a hilarious, unique, and delicious local treat. Okunoshima is packed with adorable healing moments and important historical lessons. Please follow the rules and make wonderful memories on your trip.

Rabbit Island, or Okunoshima, is a small island in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, world-renowned for being home to over 1,000 wild rabbits living freely. Tourists can feed and take photos up close with the bunnies amidst a natural atmosphere. Historically, it was a secret island used for manufacturing chemical weapons during World War II. You can feed the little bunnies. Before boarding the ferry to the island, you can purchase rabbit food, which is sold for only 200 yen per pack. Alternatively, you can buy carrots or various fruits and bring them along to the island. However, the island has a strict rule against touching the bunnies or hand-feeding them. You must place the food on the ground in the designated areas for the bunnies to eat. Along the walking paths on the island, the bunnies will come out to give you a warm welcome. You'll also notice small water basins placed along the way for the bunnies to drink from. Honestly, if you're traveling in the Hiroshima area, you should drop by to play with and feed the bunnies. It's not too crowded yet! Address: Tadanoumicho, Takehara, Hiroshima 729-2311, Japan Getting there: From Hiroshima Station, take the Shinkansen to Mihara Station, then transfer to the Kure Line and get off at Tadanoumi Station. Exit the station and keep walking right until you see the sign for the ferry pier to cross over to the island. Then, purchase a round-trip ferry ticket for 720 yen (tickets can be bought from the vending machines at the pier). Estimated Cost: Approximately 500 THB

What does it feel like to be surrounded by hundreds of rabbits? A trip to Okunoshima Island will surely give you a full experience. This hidden gem in Hiroshima, Japan, is easily accessible by taking the JR train to Tadanoumi Station, walking five minutes to Tadanoumi Port, and then purchasing a ferry ticket to reach this rabbit-filled island. If you don't have cabbage or carrots with you, don't worry—rabbit feed is available for purchase at Tadanoumi Port. For children, this place feels like an open zoo without fences. As soon as the ferry docks, groups of rabbits will gather at the port, eagerly watching every passenger disembark. Simply take out some leaves or feed, and the rabbits will surround you, even hopping onto your lap with adorable expressions, waiting to be fed. The entire Okunoshima Island is not very large; it takes about an hour to walk around. Besides feeding the rabbits, you can also enjoy beautiful sea views, cliffs, and coastal scenery. During World War II, this island was a secret base for the Japanese military to manufacture chemical weapons. After the war, the Allied forces dismantled the facilities, and the island was evacuated. It wasn't until the 1960s that the island was developed into a resort, and the rabbit population once reached nearly a thousand. 📍Address: Tadanoumicho, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 729-2311, Japan 🚗 By JR: Take the Shinkansen to Mihara, transfer to a local line to Tadanoumi, then walk to Tadanoumi Port and take a ferry to Okunoshima Island. @trip.com_tw Download the Trip.com app and search "FamilyTravel" on the homepage to explore family travel recommendations and exclusive deals!

Takehara, Hiroshima Okunoshima Island🐇 Okunoshima Island, floating in the Seto Inland Sea, is a soothing spot also known as "Rabbit Island." Approximately 900 rabbits live freely here, and as you walk along the path, you'll be greeted by their fluffy faces.🐇💕 Reach out and they'll come and approach you, feed you, and even take photos with you. It's like being transported to a storybook world. The laid-back island life and adorable rabbits will warm your heart. ✨ A must-see spot for sightseeing in Hiroshima. 🌿🌊 Okunoshima Island 📍Tadaumi-cho, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 🚃 Approximately 25 minutes on the JR Kure Line, get off at Tadami Station. 🚢 Approximately 15 minutes by ferry from Tadami Port. 🕐 Approximately one ferry per hour (check the timetable). #TravelWithPochiKatsu

#September Good Places 2025 A must-visit photo hotspot in September! Rabbit lovers must make a visit to Hiroshima's bunny island - Okunoshima🐰! This place used to be a rabbit experiment and left behind a lot of little rabbits. It has been designated as a protected area by the Japan Environment Agency🌿. Remember not to feed the rabbits! There are so many cute little rabbits to take pictures with you, it's really healing! There are resort hotels 🏨 on the island, which is perfect for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax on vacation! I chose to stay for one night to feel the romance of watching the sunset🌅 with the bunny~ The resort buffet breakfast and dinner is very rich, if you are not staying you can go to the cafe to try an after-afternoon snack or meal, super convenient! You can also rent bicycles here to ride around the island🚲, so it's easy to visit all the major attractions on the island~ In addition to the photo bunnies, don’t miss the Okunoshima Gas Museum to learn more about the historical background of the island (Address: Okuno Island, Tadami-cho, Takehara, Hiroshima, opening hours 9:00-16:00) At night, you can also chill with your bunny and watch the sunset. It's really beautiful to take pictures🤩! #Hiroshima Travel ##Okunoshima

Ōkunoshima おおくのしま The hopping bunnies are waiting for you on the island. It takes about an hour to walk around the island, and along the way, bunnies will occasionally hop over to you. They are incredibly cute! The bunnies are not very shy and might even stand on your feet. Their tiny paws are just too adorable! 🥺 You can also rent bicycles on the island, but walking is quite pleasant. Before coming to Ōkunoshima, remember to buy some leafy greens or rabbit food. There is also food available for purchase at the ticket counter near Tadanoumi Port. It takes about two and a half hours to get from Hiroshima City to Tadanoumi Port, so it's recommended to visit Ōkunoshima in the morning and then head to Onomichi in the afternoon for a stroll.

The ultimate power spot, Rabbit Island🐇🤍 It's a small island that can be reached by ferry in about 15 minutes from Tadanoumi Port, which is about 30 minutes by car from Hiroshima Airport👒 Tadanoumi Port is already cute before boarding the ferry🥺💗 There are lots of rabbits, such as pink postboxes, rabbit-shaped mirrors, and manholes with rabbit pictures on them, so be sure to look for them😆🫧 The ferry costs 360 yen one way, and you can purchase tickets only in cash from the ticket machine✍️ After a quick voyage to Okunoshima, I walked along the sea and found my first rabbit🐰💞 I was so absorbed in feeding the cabbage I brought with me that I found rabbits everywhere👀✨ About 15 minutes' walk from the pier where the ferry arrived, you will find the first rabbit in the photo. There are rabbit ear sound collectors🐇 It's super cute and famous as a photo spot, but when you put your ear to it, you can hear the sounds of nature, such as the sea, the wind, and the chirping of birds𖤣𖥧𖥣𖡡𖥧𖤣 I heard that cabbage is popular for rabbit food, so I brought it with me, but rabbit food (like flakes) can be purchased near the ferry ticket machine at Tadami Port🎵 Recently, the number of crows has increased because of food left behind by tourists, and the rabbits have been attacked by the crows, so the rabbit population has decreased, and I actually encountered a rabbit covered in wounds😔😔 It's very sad, isn't it😢 If you go, please be sure to follow the manners and take care of both nature and rabbits😌🍀 #HiroshimaTourism#Okunoshima #RemoteIsland #Rabbit #777

Okunoshima should be a holy land in the minds of many rabbit slaves, at least that’s what I saw and felt during this trip. Even though it is an isolated island, the transportation is not convenient, and the crowds of pilgrims still rush to it. Okunoshima is one of the many islands in the Seto Inland Sea of ​​Hiroshima. It is about 3 kilometers offshore from Tadami Town, Takehara City. This place is a small and remote fishing port and is known as the "island that disappeared from the map". To get here, in addition to driving like we did, use the "Kansai Metropolitan Railway PASS" to take the Shinkansen to Okayama/Hiroshima, then transfer to the Kure Line train from Mihara and get off at Tadakai Station Zhonghai Port is a very secluded small fishing port. Many tourists like us are waiting for the boat here at 10:30 in the morning. When boarding the boat, you can board the boat and find your own seat by showing your ticket. Sitting outside is comfortable but there is a smell of oil smoke. . Kunoshima was the site of Japan's chemical weapons/poison gas factory during World War II. Rabbits were indeed used for experiments at that time. However, all the experimental rabbits were culled and destroyed after the war, leaving it as an uninhabited island for a while. Later, a national holiday was established. village. 8 rabbits were also introduced from outside the island. Unexpectedly, they multiplied quickly and there were hundreds of rabbits running around on the island. However, I only saw about 200 rabbits after walking half of the island. It seems that rabbits are all over the island. Almost 100,000 tourists visit the island every year to see rabbits, and it is now designated as part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park. However, in fact, the facilities on the entire island are quite beautiful, almost maintaining most of their original state. Except for the Poison Gas Memorial Hall, the Visitor Center and the National Leisure Village, it is basically green forests and sandy areas. The coastline is about 4.3 kilometers long. There are actually very few tourists like us who walked through 1/2 of the island (we stayed here for 4 hours). First of all, as soon as you get on the island, you will find the visitor center and a very big tree. Almost 1/3 of the rabbits on the island will hide here. They are also very smart and know that tourists will arrive directly here when they get off the boat, so they will all jump in when they see tourists. Come up! However, although many people come to see the rabbits, very few go to the forest at the back. In fact, the rabbits in the back are hungrier, because most of the tourists have finished feeding the food in front, and there are very few tourists who go to the back. , so the rabbits behind you will jump out from everywhere when they hear the sound of someone's footsteps and bags. If they are hungry, they will jump on you XD and keep running with you. It is recommended that you try half/one circle around the island. #日本Travel #Hiroshima #大kunoshima There will be a pavilion at any time where you can relax and enjoy the sea view. It is a good place to get along with nature. It's a pity that the road to and from the observatory was blocked this time, so I couldn't climb up to get a bird's eye view of the entire island. Before heading to "Okunoshima", we strongly recommend that you buy rabbit food first Because as long as you have food, you can become the rabbit king of the island. Wherever you go, rabbits will jump around and surround you. The most recommended food for rabbits is cabbage. It’s very cheap to buy one in the supermarket and you can peel it by hand. If you buy carrots, you have to cut them into small strips, which is more troublesome for tourists. And another advantage of cabbage is that you can feed it with your hands, so you don’t have to worry about being bitten, and you can also seize the time to take a close-up photo of the rabbit.

Here is a list of the recommended islands from around Japan where you can enjoy art that I've been to so far! ✨ Please enjoy touring the art on the islands♡ ① #Shodoshima ② #Sakushima ③ #Omishima ④ #Naoshima ⑤ #Ikuchijima ⑥ #Sarushima ⑦ #Okunoshima I hope this will be helpful for your autumn trip🍁 #islandtrip #outdoors #island

Kamogawaso, a hotel with a taste of Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture It is located in a place surrounded by mountains and rich in nature. All the dishes made with seasonal ingredients were delicious, and the rooms were spacious and lovely. There was all-you-can-drink sake, a beautiful lobby, and a garden, so one day was not enough to enjoy it all. I would like to stay here again when I come to Hiroshima. #Takehara

A preservation district in Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture It's lined with old-fashioned verandas and buildings. It's said to have been the setting for the movie Rurouni Kenshin! The townscape has a quaint atmosphere, so it's been used as a filming location for many movies. There are also teahouses, so you can take a break. #Takehara

Okunoshima is famous as the island of rabbits. To get to Okunoshima, take a ferry from Tadanoumi Port. Tadanoumi Port has a stylish cafe and shop. They have a wide selection of rabbit-related goods, and they're all so cute💕 After you've arrived at Okunoshima, you can also buy food to feed the rabbits here. It's not sold on the island, so we recommend buying it here! Access: 1-2-1 Nakamachi Tadanoumi, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture (3 minutes on foot from Tadanoumi Station #Remote Island Trip #Remote Island Tourism #Hiroshima #Okunoshima

Okunoshima in Hiroshima Prefecture is known as the "Rabbit Island" because of the large number of rabbits on the island. There are more than 1,000 of them! When you cycle or walk around the island, you can see wild rabbits everywhere✨ You can feed them with designated food and interact with them🐇 I was soothed by playing with the cute rabbits💕 Access: Okunoshima, Tadanoumi-cho, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture (15 minutes by ferry from Tadanoumi Port) #Remote Island Trip #Remote Island Tourism #Hiroshima #Okunoshima

#外游#日本游#日本 Okunoshima is one of the islands in the Geiyo Islands in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. It is located in Tadami Town, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Due to the warm and comfortable weather on the island and the lack of natural enemies, the rabbits can safely raise a large rabbit family here🐰🐰 Today, hundreds of rabbits live here Friends who like 🐰🐰 must go 😍😍 transportation There is a free shuttle bus 🚌 service from the pier to Okunoshima Resort

#WesternJapan A stroll through the Takehara Historic Townscape Preservation District in Hiroshima Prefecture. A place I've always wanted to visit, and also a filming location for Rurouni Kenshin. It was an incredibly emotional and happy day. The breakfast at the Takehara Roadside Station was delicious too! #WesternJapan

Hiroshima is much more than a history stop. It’s a city where peaceful rivers, meaningful landmarks, island scenery, mountain views and comforting local food all come together. And this route has one extra highlight — a 15-hour stopover in Hanoi, giving you the chance to enjoy a little taste of Vietnam before continuing to Japan. 🇻🇳➡️🇯🇵 ✈️ Kuala Lumpur → Hiroshima 🛫 VietJet Air 📅 30 Oct 🕧 Depart KUL: 12:30 🔄 Hanoi stopover: 15h 10m 🕛 Arrive HIJ: 12:00 on 31 Oct ⏱️ Total journey: 22h 30m 💰 RM685 / person 🎒 1 piece carry-on baggage 🧳 No free checked baggage 🇻🇳 15 HOURS IN HANOI — WHAT CAN YOU DO? Since the stopover is long enough, you can turn it into a mini city experience. 14:55 — Arrive in Hanoi Complete arrival formalities and head toward the city. 16. 00 — Explore the Old Quarter Walk through narrow streets, local shops, cafés and traditional neighbourhoods. 17. 00 — Hoan Kiem Lake Take a relaxing walk around the lake and visit the area near Ngoc Son Temple. 18. 00 — Egg Coffee Break ☕ Try Hanoi’s famous creamy egg coffee. 19. 00 — Vietnamese Dinner 🍜 Good options include pho, bun cha, banh mi or local street snacks. 20. 30 — Train Street / Ta Hien Night Area Experience Hanoi after dark, take photos and enjoy the lively atmosphere. 22:00 — Late-night snack or café Keep the evening relaxed before returning toward the airport. Around 03:30 — Head back to the airport Allow plenty of time for your 06:05 departure to Hiroshima. · -- 🇯🇵 WHAT TO EXPERIENCE IN HIROSHIMA ⛩️ Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima See the famous torii gate standing in the sea. 🏔️ Mount Misen Take the ropeway or hike up for beautiful views over the Seto Inland Sea. 🕊️ Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park A meaningful place to understand the city’s history and message of peace. 🏛️ Atomic Bomb Dome One of Hiroshima’s most recognisable landmarks. 🏯 Hiroshima Castle A scenic historic site surrounded by greenery and water. 🌿 Shukkeien Garden Perfect for a slower morning walk. 🚋 Ride the Hiroshima Streetcar One of the easiest and most atmospheric ways to explore the city. 🌊 Onomichi A lovely day trip filled with hills, temples, cafés and coastal scenery. · -- 🍽️ HIROSHIMA FOOD TO TRY 🥞 Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki Layered with cabbage, noodles, egg and savoury sauce. 🦪 Fresh Oysters One of Hiroshima’s best-known local specialties. 🍚 Anago Meshi Grilled conger eel served over rice. 🍜 Hiroshima Tsukemen Cold noodles served with a spicy dipping sauce. 🍁 Momiji Manju Maple-leaf-shaped cakes with sweet fillings. 🍋 Setoda Lemon Treats Refreshing desserts and drinks made with local lemons. · -- 🗓️ 9D8N HIROSHIMA IDEA Day 1 — Arrival in Hiroshima Hotel check-in → Hondori Shopping Street → Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki dinner. Day 2 — Peace & History Peace Memorial Park → Atomic Bomb Dome → Peace Memorial Museum → riverside walk. Day 3 — Miyajima Island Itsukushima Shrine → Omotesando Street → local oysters → sunset by the torii gate. Day 4 — Mount Misen & Miyajima Nature Ropeway or hike → Daisho-in Temple → viewpoints → return to Hiroshima. Day 5 — Hiroshima City Hiroshima Castle → Shukkeien Garden → café hopping → city streetcar experience. Day 6 — Onomichi Day Trip Temple Walk → Senkoji Temple → Cat Alley → hillside streets → coastal views. Day 7 — Okunoshima & Takehara Visit Rabbit Island → continue to Takehara → explore traditional streets. Day 8 — Saijo or Kure Choose between Saijo Sake District or Kure’s maritime museums and waterfront. Day 9 — Slow Morning & Departure Breakfast → final souvenir shopping → airport. What makes this route interesting is the contrast: Hanoi’s lively streets first, then Hiroshima’s peaceful parks, islands and slower rhythm. Two very different travel experiences in one journey. ✨ #Hiroshima #HiroshimaTravel #JapanTravel #Miyajima #ItsukushimaShrine #HiroshimaFood #HanoiStopover #HanoiTravel #JapanItinerary #Onomichi #SetoInlandSea #VisitJapan #KualaLumpurToHiroshimama #AsiaTravel

#slowtraveling Daitsuji Temple in Takehara (5 min walk from the station, free entry, 24/7, inner hall ¥200 cash, 9:00–17:00) is a 16th-century Rinzai Zen temple with a dry garden that’s rarely mentioned in guidebooks. I went on a Friday at 9:30 — the garden was empty, the raked gravel was still wet from the morning dew. The loop: main gate → bell tower (you can ring it, ¥100 donation) → dry garden (view from the wooden hall, shoes off, tatami seating) → a small pond with a stone lantern → back to the gate. The ¥200 entry includes a cup of matcha served in the hall (10:00–15:00). Carried ¥1,000, spent ¥300. Mistake: going on a Monday (inner hall closed). Another: talking loud — the garden is a meditation space. Rule: no photos of the garden from the hall (a small sign asks for respect); take off shoes before stepping onto the tatami. Opinion: Daitsuji’s garden is the quietest place in Takehara — not because it’s hidden, but because everyone’s looking at the salt houses instead. Discussion: when a temple garden is overlooked by tourists, is that a failure of signage or a gift to the person who finds it?

#slowtraveling Café Komachi sits in a 150-year-old merchant house on Takehara’s Machinami street — 7 min from Takehara Station, open 10:00–17:00, closed Mon, cards OK. The ¥1,200 matcha parfait is the reason to come: matcha soft-serve, red-bean paste, mochi, chestnut, and a shot of hot matcha poured tableside. I went on a Thursday at 10:30 — got the window seat overlooking the lattice façade. The room has 19th-century beams, a 2020 espresso machine in the corner, and a playlist of 1970s Japanese folk. The parfait takes 10 minutes to assemble; the owner’s mother makes the mochi fresh each morning. Carried ¥3,000, spent ¥1,200. Mistake: arriving after 12:00 on a weekend — the 6 tables fill and the wait is 30 min. Another: expecting a quick in-out — the parfait is a sit-down event. Rule: don’t move the antique ceramics on the display shelf (they’re for sale, ¥2,000–¥5,000). Opinion: Komachi is the best kind of café — a merchant house that decided to serve dessert instead of becoming a museum. Discussion: when a 150-year-old house serves a ¥1,200 parfait, is that the building paying for its own upkeep or just a very expensive bowl of ice cream?

#slowtraveling Taketsuru Sake Brewery in Takehara (founded 1733, 5 min walk from the station) is the birthplace of Masataka Taketsuru — the man who brought whisky to Japan. The brewery itself is a working sake operation, but the alley behind it (a 50m lane of white-plaster walls and 200-year-old beams) is where Taketsuru grew up. Free to walk, 24/7, brewery shop 9:00–17:00 (cards OK, tax-free over ¥5,000). I went on a Friday at 11:00. The shop sells a ¥500 tasting set (three 30ml cups of their Junmai Ginjo, Daiginjo, and a whisky-cask-aged sake). I bought a ¥1,800 bottle of the cask-aged (cash, they prefer it under ¥3,000). The alley has a bronze statue of young Taketsuru (donated by Nikka, his company) and a plaque in Japanese only. Mistake: expecting a whisky museum — it’s a sake brewery with a whisky backstory. Another: going on a Monday (closed). Rule: don’t photograph the production area (signs in Japanese). Opinion: the alley is more honest than a museum would be — Taketsuru’s story started here, not in Scotland, and the sake is still the point. Discussion: when a whisky legend’s birthplace is a sake brewery, does that make the sake more interesting or the whisky story more complicated?

#slowtraveling The Machinami Preservation District in Takehara is a 300m row of 15 houses with koshi-bari (lattice windows) that have been in the same families for 200+ years. Free to walk, 24/7, some houses open 9:00–17:00 (¥200–¥300 entry, cash). I went on a Thursday at 10:00. The standout: the Mori House (¥300, a 1790 salt-merchant home with original lattice and a garden you view from a tatami room). The lattice isn’t decorative — it’s a status symbol: the finer the lattice, the richer the merchant. I counted 12 slats per inch at the Mori House. A ¥400 matcha at a converted merchant house café (Café Komachi, cards OK) — the room has 200-year-old beams and a 2020 espresso machine. Mistake: going after 16:00 when the houses close. Another: touching the lattice — it’s fragile, 200-year-old wood. Rule: take off shoes before entering the tatami rooms (slippers provided). Opinion: the lattice row is Takehara’s real story — not the “Little Kyoto” brand, but the fact that a street of 1790s windows is still standing because no one could afford to replace them, and now that’s exactly why it’s priceless. Discussion: when a window pattern becomes a town’s defining feature, is that architecture or just a very slow form of branding?

#slowtraveling Takehara (JR Sanyo Line, 35 min from Hiroshima, ¥500) calls itself “Little Kyoto of Aki” — and the comparison holds if you shrink Kyoto to 400 meters of Edo salt-merchant houses. The walk starts at Takehara Station, 7 min south to the preserved district (free, 24/7, houses 9:00–17:00). I arrived at 9:15 on a weekday — the streets were empty, the woodsmoke from a breakfast hearth was the only movement. The town made its money on salt and paper; the houses have wide eaves, white plaster, and namako-kabe (tile-edged) walls. A ¥200 entry to the Takehara Folk Museum (a former merchant home, cash only) shows the salt-boiling vats. Then a ¥150 senbei from a street stall (cash, 10:00–16:00). Carried ¥2,000, spent ¥1,050. Mistake: going on a Monday when the museum and most stalls are closed. Another: expecting a big “Kyoto” experience — this is a neighborhood, not a tourist zone. Rule: don’t step on the thresholds of private houses (marked with a small stone). Opinion: Takehara’s “Little Kyoto” label is accurate but undersells it — this is a town that made salt, not temples, and the houses are wider because the merchants had money. Discussion: when a town is called “Little Kyoto,” does that help travelers or just make them compare it to something it never tried to be?

Highly recommend the Sea Spica rabbit route to experience the Seto Inland Sea cruise! The itinerary is along the sea view, which is suitable for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle, enjoy the natural beauty and take pictures of modern architecture. 🌊 Trip highlights first look · Sea Spica Rabbit Course: Enjoy the magnificent scenery of Osaki Kamishima-cho on a sea cruise, with different levels of beauty during the day or on cloudy and rainy days. · Along the way, you can see the industrial architecture of the military port X natural hills, feel the beauty of the conflict of humanities + natural aesthetics 🐰Sea Spica Rabbit Course (Seto Inland Sea Cruise Experience) When you visit Hiroshima, Japan, you have to try this rabbit route! The hull design is stylish, and the best thing is to walk through Okuno Island, along the way to enjoy the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea under the sunny sky. There are modern industrial buildings on both sides of the bank, with unique views paired with the distant green mountains and azure lakes. 📍Start Recommended Pier: Hiroshima Upin Harbor 🕝 Operating hours: 08:45 to Tail Road daily ⛴️ Tips: Just after the rain, the air is super fresh, remember to bring an extra windbreaker for easy viewing on the deck; 📌 Itinerary tips & personal feelings · Sea Spica Rabbit Course Cruise Be sure to buy tickets in advance! On crowded days, you should arrive at the pier half an hour early. · The weather is changeable, whether sunny or cloudy, the scenery is layered, no fear of rain will affect the photography. · Camera/phone prepare more storage space, sea view + architecture + mountain view along the way is too good to shoot. #Seto Inland Sea Cruise #Sea Island Healing System

Take a ferry from Tadami Station to Okunoshima Island to feed the rabbits. Rabbit feed can be purchased at the station shop; it's not sold on the island itself. The sunset is beautiful, and there are even more rabbits around – a very relaxing Southeast Asian scene. There are quite a few Westerners there! The island's only hotel and resort village offers coffee and snacks, a truly vacation-like experience!

Flourishing from the Muromachi to the Edo periods, Takehara is a town brimming with historical charm. Wealthy merchants who made their fortunes in salt production were known as "Hamadanna," and they drove the town's development alongside the sake brewing industry. Today, its historic streetscapes are carefully preserved as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The picturesque streets, lined with white-walled structures and old merchant houses, offer a glimpse into the traditional landscapes of old Japan. Though compact, this beautiful town is packed with the essence of Japan's charm. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll while immersing yourself in its rich history and culture. 📍 Takehara Townscape Preservation District 3-8 Honmachi, Takehara, Hiroshima 725-0022 ✈️ By Air: Hiroshima Airport About a 30-minute drive (rental car or taxi) from the airport to Takehara Station. 🚃 By Train: JR Mihara Station → JR Kure Line → Takehara Station

I love Kyoto, but the only way to avoid the masses of crowds is to get up and walk around really early in the morning, but then all the shops are closed. So we decided to visit a quieter town called Takehara, sometimes referred to as Little Kyoto. Takehara is a very small town with only a few hotels. It has a small countryside town kind of vibe which is quite cozy compared to the big cities. (But it does have a McDonald’s if Japanese food isn’t working out for you). The old street is not huge but it is really nice walking around with some shop shops, cafes, temples and museums. Unfortunately for us it’s been raining since we arrived but at least it means there are even less people. I highly recommend visiting Takehara if you want slower paste trip that’s just as historical and traditional.

Day 1: Arrival in Hiroshima & A Booming Start to Summer in the City After arriving in Hiroshima in the afternoon, drive to the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima, surrounded by the sea on three sides, for check-in. In the evening, drive to downtown Hiroshima. Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, and admire this historical site under the sunset, contrasting it with the bustling modern city nearby – a truly profound experience. For dinner, head to the nearby Shinchi-Okonomi-mura (Hiroshima Yakiniku Village) to savor authentic Hiroshima yakiniku with its distinct layers, yakisoba noodles, and generous amounts of cabbage. Return to the hotel in the evening and relax in the natural hot spring "Seto-no-Yu" while enjoying the sea view, washing away the fatigue of your journey. Day 2: Miyajima & Hidden Atomic Bomb Wonder Ruins In the morning, take the first high-speed ferry directly to Miyajima from the Grand Prince Hotel's private pier (saving you the hassle of driving to the pier, a fantastic experience). Visit Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's three most scenic spots, and the iconic Great Torii Gate over the sea. This is also early summer, when the island's wild deer are at their most active. Enjoy grilled oysters and maple leaf buns in the old town. In the afternoon, return to the hotel by boat and drive into the city to explore the history of the atomic bomb: Peace Memorial Museum: View historical artifacts, videos, and stories from that time – a truly moving experience. Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch: A short walk away, this magnificent stone building miraculously survived the atomic bombing, located only 380 meters from the epicenter. The walls still bear the marks of warped iron windows and burns from the bombing. Hiroshima Castle Outskirts and the Third Maru: Although the castle tower is closed for earthquake repairs, admiring the magnificent moat and walls from the outside, and visiting the newly opened Third Maru and the restored Second Maru, still offers a strong sense of history. Day 3: Kure City, a Legendary WWII Naval Port & A Tour of the Battleship "Yamato" After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, drive along the coastline to Kure City (approximately 35 minutes). This city was once home to Asia's largest naval factory during WWII. Visit the Yamato Museum, where the most impressive exhibit is a 1:10 scale, 26-meter-long giant model of the battleship "Yamato," along with Zero fighter planes and WWII artifacts. Then, head to the Iron Whale Museum across the street for an interior experience inside a real, decommissioned giant submarine. For lunch, enjoy "Naval Curry" or Kure udon, a dish traditionally eaten by the Japanese Navy every Friday in Kure City. In the afternoon, visit the Irifuneyama Memorial Museum. This former residence of the highest-ranking naval commander, its semi-Japanese, semi-European architecture preserving the lifestyle of high-ranking Japanese military officers before WWII. Return to the hotel in the evening and enjoy your last night at the Grand Prince Hotel, soaking in the hot springs and gazing at the stars over the Seto Inland Sea. Day 4: Sake Brewery & Classic Onomichi Castle (Super Relaxing, Extremely Chilly) After checking out of the hotel in the morning, depart and drive approximately 45 minutes to Saijo Sake Brewery Street, known as the "Sake Capital." The white walls, black tiles, and red brick chimneys are very distinctive. You can visit an old brewery (such as Kamotsuru) to sample top-grade Daiginjo sake. Enjoy a unique "Sake Nabe" (a hot pot of fresh, sweet chicken and vegetables seasoned with sake and salt; the alcohol has evaporated, making it incredibly delicious) at a local traditional house. After lunch, drive for 1 hour to Onomichi city. Take the Senkoji Ropeway directly to the summit for breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea island hopping. Afterwards, walk down the stone steps through the charming Neko-no-Hisode (Cat's Lane), filled with hipsters and street cats. Choose a café halfway up the mountain facing the sea, sip a Setouchi lemon cocktail, and enjoy the cool early summer breeze for complete relaxation. Day 5: A Stark Contrast Between the Dark Side of History and Healing Rabbits: A Full-Day Tour of Okunoshima Island After a leisurely breakfast, check out and drive approximately 40 minutes to Tadamami Port (the road conditions are excellent, and parking is available in the free public parking lot at the pier). Buy rabbit feed at the pier. Take a 15-minute ferry ride to the island. You have a full 3.5 hours today – plenty of time! This was once a poison gas factory erased from maps by the Japanese army during World War II. Search for the vast ruins of the [power plant] and [poison gas storage facilities] scattered across the island, and visit the [Poison Gas Museum] to see historical documents. The ruins appear magnificent yet desolate under the early summer sun, creating a truly stunning visual effect. In stark contrast to the heavy history, hundreds of docile wild rabbits will rush towards you along the way, begging for food – a very therapeutic and relaxing experience. Enjoy a local octopus set meal at the resort restaurant on the island. Take the ferry back to Tadashi Port, then drive 25 minutes to the 【Kamogawa-so】 nestled in the Takehara Mountains to enjoy a secluded, natural hot spring surrounded by a Japanese garden. Day 6: Morning Stroll at Edo-era Port & Final Sprint to Hiroshima Airport Souvenirs After a delicious Japanese breakfast at the inn, stroll along the old port of 【Tomonoura】 (also a filming location for the Ghibli film *Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea*). Visit the Edo-era lighthouse and gorse trees, taking photos while enjoying the cool sea breeze. Drive smoothly from the hot spring inn to Hiroshima Airport (only 25 minutes). Rent your car near the airport: Return your rental car at the airport rental shop; a shuttle will take you to the passenger terminal. While Hiroshima Airport is charming, the souvenir shops are fantastic! Before boarding, buy limited-edition "Hatedo" cream-filled bread, Setouchi lemon cake, and maple leaf buns. Board your flight promptly at 2 PM for a perfect return trip!

Okunoshima, located in Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, is simply a dreamy rabbit paradise! 🐰 This small island, affectionately known as "Rabbit Island," is home to hundreds of wild rabbits. No matter where you go, you'll be surrounded by adorable bunnies. The whole trip is incredibly chill and super healing 😍! Aside from snapping photos, the island also features the ruins of a World War II poison gas factory and a Poison Gas Museum, letting you soak in a bit of history while exploring this cozy bunny island~ Therapeutic scenery X historical exploration, it truly is the best of both worlds! 📍 Address: Okunoshima, Tadanoumi-cho, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 🕘 Recommended Itinerary: Half-day to a full-day trip If you're looking for a special experience, remember to check the ferry schedule in advance. It's a convenient 15-minute direct ride from Tadanoumi Port~ You can buy rabbit food at the pier, or bring fresh veggies to feed the bunnies. However, from what I've observed, their absolute favorite turned out to be my giant cabbage! 😆 Quickly bookmark Rabbit Island! You absolutely have to add this relaxing and fun little island to your itinerary next time you visit the Seto Inland Sea! I'm sure you'll be completely melted by their cuteness too~~ Continuously sharing hidden gem islands in Western Japan, the Seto Inland Sea, and Hiroshima Want to see more laid-back, unhurried Japan itineraries Feel free to follow me, and just copy my itinerary for your next trip

"I just need some serious healing...!" If that sounds like you, we highly recommend Okunoshima (commonly known as Rabbit Island), floating in the Seto Inland Sea. The moment you step foot on the island, you'll be welcomed by hundreds of wild bunnies. Today, we’re sharing a roundup of essential tips to help you get the most out of your trip to Rabbit Island—proving you can have an incredibly satisfying walking tour without a car! 🚗 No Rental Car? No Problem! Why Public Transit is the Best Way to Get There You might think, "It's an island, so won't it be inconvenient without a car?" But Rabbit Island is actually incredibly friendly to travelers on foot! In fact, general vehicles are banned on the island, making it much easier to enjoy a leisurely stroll without a car. 🌟 Recommended Access Route By Train: Get off at "Tadanoumi Station" on the JR Kure Line. From there, it's just a quick 5-minute walk to the ferry terminal at "Tadanoumi Port"! By Ferry: Enjoy a short, 15-minute cruise from Tadanoumi Port to Okunoshima, taking in the pleasant ocean breeze along the way. Once you arrive on the island, a free shuttle bus operated by the local hotel (Kyukamura) waits to meet incoming ferries. Otherwise, getting around is mostly done on foot or by rental bicycle. You can fully enjoy your trip from start to finish with zero stress about driving. 🥕 [Most Important] Bring Your Own Rabbit Food to Multiply the Fun by 100! There is one golden rule when visiting Rabbit Island: **"Bring rabbit food from off the island!"** The truth is, rabbit food isn't actually sold anywhere on Okunoshima itself. 🛍️ What should you bring? Cabbage and Carrots: We recommend chopping them into bite-sized pieces and packing them in Ziploc bags. Commercial Rabbit Pellets: You can buy these for about 200 yen per bag at the Tadanoumi Port waiting area, but they often sell out on weekends. If you want to interact with as many bunnies as possible, it's best to buy a large bag in advance from a pet shop or supermarket. The moment you reveal the food, tiny bunnies will come hopping over from all directions—a sight of agonizing cuteness! Whether or not you have treats completely dictates your "popularity" on the island (lol).