Rabbit Island, Okunoshima Island.

My dad came out to visit us in Japan to celebrate our daughters 6th birthday and meet his newest grandson! Just a few days before he came out here he saw "Rabbit Island" on the local news. He then told me it was here in Japan so I of course had to do some research and find where this place was!

I Asked around on local Iwakuni Pages and found this really neat site called,  Iwakuni Explorer . There I was able to find the link to  Rabbit Island , Also called Okunoshima Island. However, I found the Directions to BE kind of Confusing. I am a visual learner and when I was reading through the directions and didn't see any pictures I was completely lost!

I was discouraged for awhile, but when my dad mentioned the bunnies again I told myself we HAD to go. I started by going to ITT here on base to ask for a train schedule. 

Don't mind all the wrinkles, my husband had this shoved in his pocket the whole time. Anyways, we started with taking the local train here in Iwakuni (in downtown by Coco's and Andersen.) We took the JR "Sanyo line" ( Take the train heading to HIROSHIMA). The above map showed a direct shot to "MIHARA" before we had to switch trains, but that wasn't the case.

We ended up having to switch trains in "SHIRAICHI" which is where the Hiroshima Airport is. (Not sure if it was just for this particular day, or if its all the time.) It wasn't hard, we just stepped off one train (because it headed back to Iwakuni) then walked to the other side and waited for the train that continued in the direction we needed to go. 

Here are pictures of the stop that we got off at to change trains to continue on to "MIHARA".

This train station is really small and if you have enough time while waiting in between trains you can go inside, and above where you purchase your tickets at the machine, you can see a map that shows "MIHARA". Just so you can reassure yourself that you are going the right way (we were constantly checking the maps on our ipad and the maps at every stop we made). 

Once you hop on the train and arrive at Mihara you are switching from the JR "Sanyo line" to the JR "Kure line". You are going to hop on any train going to "HIRO" we were COMPLETELY confused because we had no idea that there is a place called Hiro ... we thought it was short for Hiroshima! 

OK, now that you are on the train heading to Hiro at your 3rd stop you will be getting off at "TADANOUMI STATION". This stop is right after "HONGO".

You will know you are at the right stop because when you step off the train you will be greeted by a bunny!

After getting off the train and making your way out of the train station you will see absolutely nothing that says "RABBIT ISLAND THIS WAY". Again we were confused and panicked. If you turn and walk to your RIGHT after exiting the train station you will see this map on the wall: 

.. Walk passed the map and continue straight along the road It's a short walk .. maybe 5 minutes or so to the Tadanoumi Port You will see this sign: 

Turn RIGHT just like the sign says, and follow it around a bend. You will walk over some train tacks and then come across this small hole in the wall ticket counter.

This is where you will buy your tickets.

We were expecting to see a ferry like the one that takes you to Miyajima Island ... this one ... well is kind of dinky!

The seating is enclosed and you get a nice view of the ocean! If you have strollers you leave them up top before you head down the stairs to sit down. 

This was a short ride, maybe 12 minutes or so. 

HURRAYY! We made it to Rabbit Island!

The bunnies were so cute and loved all the food and attention! The baby bunnies will even let you pick them up!

It took us 3 hours and 20 minutes to get to the Island. We took three trains and a ferry, the total cost for three adults round trip was 13,620 ¥ (depending on the exchange rate its around 140-ish USD). That is not including the tickets for the Ferry ... I lost the receipt so I can't tell you how much that was. OOPS! 

SHORT FAST RE-CAP!!

Take train from JR station-SANYO LINE-(downtown Iwakuni, take train to "HIROSHIMA"). Get off at "SHIRAICHI" station, continue to "MIHARA" station. Take JR-KURE LINE-to "TADANOUMI" station. Walk 5 minutes to the "TADANOUMI PORT".