7/19/26 Summer on Okunoshima is long and sweltering. The heat on this island in the Seto Inland Sea is truly tropical; the thermometer at the No. 2 Pier often registers a higher temperature than the official reading for Takehara City shown on an iPhone. Amidst this heat, the rabbits struggle desperately to survive. They try to cool off by digging into the ground and lying flat against the earth. They spend much of the day asleep, remaining motionless in the shade. Not a few r

Injured rabbit after fight I was looking back at photos of the rabbits on Ohkunoshima—going through thousands of them, one by one. So many rabbits that hold special memories for me appeared . As various memories came flooding back, I found myself unable to hold back the tears. That one died, too. And this one. Every time I returned to the island, there were rabbits I would never see again—precious lives I can now only behold in photographs. A rabbit with a sprained leg. One w

Devastating injury on right face of young rabbit, Kinatsu Type of severe injury you can barely watch 6/25/26 What is it like to be eaten alive by maggots? How did the this only 1kg rabbit who just passed away get injured? Suffering from such severe facial injuries—come to be in this state? The wounds were extensive, covering the area near the ear and extending to the eye, which appeared completely destroyed. The damage was too widespread to have been caused by a single bite.

severe injury on right side of her face 6/25/26 First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the veterinarian and staff who provided medical care for Kinatsu, the critically ill young rabbit. Please be advised that the photos starting from the third image are distressing and graphic; please view them with caution. Some of you may be considering reporting this situation. However, this is a reality stemming from the fact that humans fail to properly care for th

sick baby rabbit 6/20/26 I cannot help but feel conflicted whenever I see social media posts about Okunoshima featuring cute photos of rabbits and captions about how adorable and soothing they are. I can imagine that for first-time visitors or those who have only been a few times, such posts stem from a lack of deep understanding; they are simply tourists who do not know the island's true situation. But what about those who visit regularly and post content that portrays the i

Lives of baby rabbits are too fragile Lone baby rabbit ultimately died of starvation 6/17/26 A common sight on Okunoshima is tourists picking up baby rabbits to take photos. These defenseless little rabbits are easily lifted and handled however the tourists please. The tourists give no thought to how such actions might affect the rabbits' futures; because the island is a place where no one is reprimanded for their behavior, these unacceptable practices run rampant. The rabbit

5/31/26 I heard that a rather large typhoon is expected to hit around June 2nd or 3rd. Okunoshima often lies directly in the path of typhoons; whenever one strikes, it typically brings torrential rains and causes tree branches to snap and fall. Next week, the Kyukamura Hotel will be closed for a five-day maintenance period. With no guests staying on the island, these days will definitely be a big challenge for the rabbits. While the heavy rainfall ensures there is no need

This rabbit died right in front of our eyes 5/17/26 What exactly are the rabbits of Ohkunoshima? They are not wild rabbits. Rather, they are domesticated rabbits that have reverted to a feral state. Nor are they the native hares that naturally inhabit mountainous regions. Ohkunoshima offers virtually none of the food sources that rabbits would typically consume in the wild. As for water, the only naturally available supply they can rely on is rainwater. Were it not for human.

typical sick rabbit with eye infection 5/16/26 I want you to understand this: Why is the neglect of the rabbits on Okunoshima Island such a serious problem? There is a concept known as "wildlife tourism"—quite literally, tourism centered around wild animals. As the World Animal Protection organization has noted, for wildlife tourism to be truly sustainable, the conservation and welfare of the animals must take precedence over mere human entertainment. The rabbits of Okunoshim

Severe infection on nose and right eye. She was totally ousted from other rabbits 5/15/26 Can the Rabbits Not Be Rescued Simply Because They Inhabit Country-Owned Land? During the trial concerning the mass slaughter of rabbits that took place a year ago, the official classification of the rabbits on Ohkunoshima Island was redefined—shifting from "invasive alien species" (their previous designation) to "protected animals." It was precisely because of this new classification th

5/14/26 Criticism of the situation of the rabbits on Okunoshima Island often focuses on the Ministry of the Environment, which manages the island; Takehara City, where the island is located; and Kyukamura, a hotel that operates facilities on the island. Personally, I believe it's true that each of these entities bears some responsibility for the rabbits. Takehara City and Kyukamura, in particular, must be profiting from the money spent by tourists who visit specifically to se

Baby rabbit, Koyomi after external fixation surgery on fractured leg 5/10/26 A complex fracture in a baby rabbit weighing a mere 385 grams. How many times have I witnessed rabbits hobbling along, dragging their injured legs behind them? For a rabbit suffering from such a fracture, the chances of surviving on this island are absolutely nil. In most cases, they fall prey to natural predators before infection from the injury can claim their lives. Yet, despite this cruel reality

5/7/26 The first photo was taken during the long weekend in February of this year. The rest show what was left behind on the ground: food, food, and more food. I understand the desire to feed the rabbits—I understand it all too well. However, on days when the number of tourists exceeds the number of rabbits, leaving food on the ground is a complete waste unless a rabbit is right in front of you and actively eating it. Rabbits will not eat vegetables that have been placed on t

a rabbit suffering from heat stroke) 5/6/26 The intense heat of Okunoshima is fast approaching—or rather, it is a scorching heat. The climate on this island in the Seto Inland Sea is, quite naturally, sweltering from May through September. Aside from the shade provided by trees, the island offers no shelters to shield one from the harsh sunlight. Yet, more than the glare itself, what is truly overwhelming is the sheer, unrelenting humidity. Unlike humans, rabbits cannot regul

Ran chan on the island before the rescue 5/5/26 It has been nearly two years since Ran-chan—a rabbit with a large tumor on her left ear—was rescued in July 2024 from Okunoshima, an island floating in the Seto Inland Sea off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture. Prior to this, there were many rabbits we had wanted to rescue but were unable to; we carried with us a great deal of regret. However, by participating in medical rescue operations alongside the fellow volunteers who hel

A severely ill rabbit, living in isolation to escape from the other rabbits 3/27/26 Are the Rabbits of Okunoshima Truly Pitiful? Many first-time visitors to the island fail to notice the "dark side" of Okunoshima. I, too, was once among them. People are thrilled by the sight of so many adorable rabbits flocking around them. It is precisely this experience that likely ensures the island's popularity never wanes. Furthermore, when one sees nothing but photos of cute rabbits on

3/20/26 (The picture captures an early instance where two rabbits attempted to drive Mr. Matsusaka out of their territory.) When we first visited Okunoshima in 2013, the rabbit population must surely have exceeded 1,000. If the current count stands at 400, it certainly felt as though there were at least three times that number back then. (I suspect that once the rabbit population surpasses a certain threshold, it becomes impossible to count them accurately.)As we toured the i

3/14/26 (Pictured: Rabbits on Okunoshima Island that have suffered from abscesses) Saki—a rabbit rescued on February 18, 2026, with a massive abscess on her back—continues to bravely undergo treatment at the veterinary hospital today.Reflecting on Saki’s condition brings to mind the many other rabbits I have seen on Okunoshima Island over the years that were afflicted with abscesses. ( Unfortunately, Saki passed away despite her fight to survive) According to veterinarians, r

I am delicate and can get sick very easily 3/7/26 Unlike dogs or cats, rabbits are not animals that can simply get by on two meals a day. They possess a digestive tract that requires constant activity; a lack of food intake makes them prone to developing gastrointestinal stasis. Some argue that the rabbits on the island need water rather than food, but failing to eat small amounts regularly to keep their digestive systems moving puts their lives at risk. While overfeeding on

3/6/26 — "It’s so moving to see how resilient wild rabbits are—surviving even after fierce fights and injuries."— "I’m deeply moved by the lively spirit of the rabbits on Okunoshima."— "The rabbits on Okunoshima are by no means pitiful creatures." These are words frequently uttered by people who truly do not understand the reality of Okunoshima. Rabbits that sustain injuries in fierce fights often lose their lives. Day viisitors who catch a glimpse of these injured animals ra