There are many travelers in Hiroshima who seek out sightseeing areas other than the A-Bomb Dome and Miyajima. If you’re looking for a spot to make a day trip from Hiroshima city center, I recommend Okunoshima Island in Takehara city!

Okunoshima, also known as “Rabbit Island” or “Poison Gas Island,” is popular among travelers. There are many reasons to go there, like being comforted by rabbits or learning about the island’s tragic history.

Best to Use JR or Express Bus

There’s some distance between central city of Hiroshima and Okunoshima, but it’s convenient if you use JR from the main station, or the express bus from Hiroshima bus center. To head for this island, get on public transit and go towards Tadanoumikō Port.

How to Get to Tadanoumikō Port on JR

There are two ways. The first is to take the Shinkansen to Mihara station, and then transfer to a train to go to Tadanoumi-eki.

The second way is to get on a JR train, Kure line. If departing from Hiroshima station, there are many trains bound for Hiro Station, so in that case you will need to get off at Hiro Station, the final stop, and transfer to a train bound for Itozaki Station.

Get off at Tadanoumi-eki, and you can walk to Tadanoumikō Port in four minutes!

*As of present (July, 2018), the Kure line is not in operation due to disasters caused by heavy rain. The line is expected to be restored in November, 2018.

How to Go to Tadanoumikō Port via Express Bus

To go to Tadanoumikō Port via express bus, board the express bus, Kagurahime Line from Hiroshima Bus Center. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Tadanoumi-eki, so one benefit of the bus is that it’s a little bit faster than JR. After getting off at Tadanoumi-eki, you will reach Tadanoumikō Port in four minutes on foot.

Going to Okunoshima on the Omishima Ferry

At Tadanoumikō Port, there is a ferry that goes to Okunoshima.

You can buy boarding tickets at “The Gateway to Rabbit Island,” operated by Tadanoumikō Port.

Only cash is accepted for the boarding tickets, but there’s an international currency exchange machine right nearby, so it’s very convenient! Omishima ferry has both a large ferry that boards 300 people and a jet boat that boards 100, but they do not operate at short intervals like Miyajima ferry does.

On weekdays especially, if you miss one ferry you might have to wait nearly two hours for the next one. When you want to embark, please make sure to check the timetables in advance!

Access from Hiroshima City

You can take a day trip to Okunoshima Island, but since it’s located in the outskirts, I recommend heading out early in the morning. Also, be sure to check travel times and fares in advance.

Using Bullet Train, JR, and Ferry

Cost:￥4,200      Time: 1h30mins      Change: Twice

Hiroshima Station ↓ Mihara Station	JR Sanyo Shinkansen (30mins)	￥3,570
↓ Kure Line	“Tadanoumi-eki” JR Train (25mins)	￥320
↓ Tadanoumikō	Walk (3mins)	–
↓ Okunoshima	Ferry (15mins)	￥310

Using JR and Ferry

Cost:￥1,630      Time: 2.5h      Change: 1 time

Hiroshima Sta. ↓ Tadanoumi Sta.	JR Kure Line (2h)	￥1,320
↓ Tadanoumikō	Walk (3mins)	–
↓ Okunoshima	Ferry (15mins)	￥310

Taking Bus from Downtown Hiroshima

Cost:￥1,800      Time: 2h      Change: 1 time

Hiroshima Bus Center ↓ Tadanoumi Sta.	Kure Line “Tadanoumi-eki” or Geiyo Bus “Kaguyahime Line” (1h30mins)	￥1,490
↓ Tadanoumikō	Walk (3mins)	–
↓ Okunoshima	Ferry (15mins)	￥310

Things to Do in the Rabbit Island

Okunoshima is a small island that’s only about 4km in circumference, but it’s packed with many sightseeing spots and activities, so you can enjoy a whole day there!

• Get in touch with wild rabbits
• Enjoy swimming in the ocean
• Rental Bicycle
• Camp empty-handed
• Get in a hot spring
• Visit sightseeing spots like the Poison Gas Museum

Camp and hot spring inquiries are handled by “Kyukamura”. Camping on this island is very convenient because you can rent all the equipment that you’ll need. So, you can enjoy it even if you go there empty-handed. It would also be great to spend some relaxing time at the resort on the beach.