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 these rabbits—using them for tourism and treating them as disposable—so I ask that you please refrain from reporting this lightly. We are raising this issue in the hope of finding a way to eliminate or at least reduce the number of rabbits suffering in this manner. I ask everyone to please empathize with the pain and suffering of the island rabbits exploited for human entertainment. We appreciate your understanding. When I emailed the attending veterinarian around 10:00 PM the day before yesterday (the 23rd), I was informed that the little rabbit had passed away moments earlier, slipping away peacefully as if falling asleep. Even after evening consultations had ended, the vet kept a close watch on her, ensuring above all else that she would not suffer in pain while alone. Hearing that the vet was there with her at the very end was heartbreaking, yet knowing she departed while being watched over by a medical professional made me feel that her life was treated with dignity; that thought became my only source of solace. Even after she arrived in Kobe from Hiroshima on the 23rd and we prepared to treat her, it was immediately apparent that her condition was critical. From the moment the vet examined her, we saw that tissue from her cheek—or somewhere on her face—had sloughed off, and a mass of maggots was teeming inside the detached fragment. @tokidokitabini, who had rescued her before she was transported to us, had already noticed this and brought the fragment along; seeing it made me realize—even as a layperson—just how severe her condition was, and I was overcome with anxiety. Before being rescued, the rabbit had already been chased by other rabbits and was reportedly in a very weakened state; yet, even then, it was trying hard to eat on its own. Learning that rabbits desperately try to act energetic to avoid showing any signs of weakness—even in such a condition—filled me with such pity; I was deeply moved by its brave, spirited nature, which made its plight seem all the more heartbreaking. A few hours later, the veterinarian contacted me via email. They explained that—while the exact origin of the initial wound near the ear was unclear—it had become infected and festered; the resulting odor had attracted flies that laid eggs in the wound, leading to an infestation of countless maggots of various sizes that were devouring the tissue. The maggots had burrowed not only into the right side of the face where the wound began but also deep into the neck muscles, exposing blood vessels and bone; the vet noted that it was impossible to determine exactly how much of the internal organs had already been consumed. The nurse treating the animal remarked that no matter how many maggots were removed during the disinfection process, more kept emerging from within the body. I realized that the peculiar odor present since the initial examination was the smell of the body being destroyed and rotting from the inside out by countless maggots while the animal was still alive. By then, 90% of the skin and tissue surrounding the affected area had already been lost. I was informed that the chances of survival were extremely slim and that regenerating the necrotic skin and muscle was not feasible. After being told the animal likely had only three days left to live, I returned to the hospital. When I visited again, the animal was in such a critical state that even drawing blood was impossible, and it could no longer stand. I trembled with an anger that had nowhere to go. All I could do was feel furious at my own helplessness... The only thing I could do was stroke this tiny body—wasting away while still alive— hoping with all my heart to spare it any further suffering. I felt strongly that it is wrong to use rabbits in this way for human entertainment. Had it been found just two weeks earlier—before the maggots hatched—it might have been saved. I cannot fathom the agony of living while being eaten alive by maggots. I cannot even imagine the pain endured by Kiki-chan—who survived despite having her face trampled and her eardrums crushed along with the surrounding bone. I feel nothing but intense indignation at the reality of her being left to such a fate. Had she been rescued during the winter, she might have survived. I have learned that a delay in rescue during this season condemns an animal to a life of being consumed by maggots, and I have witnessed firsthand just how excruciating that suffering is. I cannot help but feel that Kinatsu-chan appeared before us specifically to convey this message. @tokidokitabini, who rescued her out of a desperate desire to save her, has also been deeply shocked by the situation. Whenever we seek medical care for the island's rabbits, we invariably find their conditions to be far more severe than anticipated; these rabbits have risked their very lives to teach us that the notion of "Island Kid Power"—an idea that they are somehow naturally resilient—is simply a myth. I wanted to share this reality with all of you, which is why I have posted these images. If a young rabbit—at an age when it would naturally be at its most adorable—sustains an injury for any reason, it becomes an animal of no use to tourism; ignored by everyone, it is left with no choice but to suffer from loneliness and starvation until it dies. ⁡ I intend to write a letter to the Mayor of Takehara City to make him aware of this reality. My sincere hope is not to cast blame, but simply to ensure that the facts are known.

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. It couldn't have been a crow; crows don't attack in such a half-hearted manner. That leaves only one conclusion: these injuries were the result of repeated attacks by another rabbit. It is easy to imagine how quickly flies would swarm once a wound occurred. The island is already hot, and the humidity is intense. I do not know exactly when the injury happened, but once flies lay their eggs, they develop into adult flies within a week. This suggests that the rabbit must have reached this state quite recently. This life undoubtedly could have been saved had it been rescued sooner. Once again... it was too late... Regardless of the cause of the injury, shouldn't humans bear responsibility, given that this occurred on a man-made "Rabbit Island"? How many rabbits will lose their lives this summer?

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 island's situation in a positive light? They are well aware of the reality on Okunoshima. I suppose they have their own motives, and some of their posts hint at complex underlying feelings. I do not believe that secretly rescuing sick or injured rabbits serves to confront society with the island's problems. Such actions are likely to be viewed as nothing more than theft; while it may benefit the rescued rabbit, the impact ends there. If one truly wants to bring the issue to public attention, I believe it is necessary to go public with the rescue and openly expose the problem of abandoned rabbits on Okunoshima. It is unlikely that the government will step in to protect the rabbits. There is no budget for it, and the actual tourism revenue generated by visitors to Okunoshima remains unclear. Aside from the Omishima Ferry and the Kure Line—both of which have faced rumors of discontinuation—or the gift shop at Tadanoumi Port, there appear to be no entities reaping significant profits. Nor does it seem that the citizens of Takehara City are benefiting in any tangible way. Is it right to assume that simply providing food and water ensures the rabbits live happy lives? Sadly, no matter how much food and water is provided, what is actually done for a rabbit when it falls ill or suffers an injury? Turning a blind eye to the issues facing Okunoshima is tantamount to betraying your favorite rabbit.

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 in the photos and video was one that had been rejected by its peers. Even though it repeatedly tried to join the others to eat, the adult rabbits would not allow it, leaving it to live in isolation. This particular rabbit was picked up by a tourist who intended to carry it to another area to show their family; however, after being warned, the tourist placed the rabbit back on the ground. When tourists pick up a rabbit, the animal often struggles, leading the tourist to accidentally drop it. A significant number of rabbits suffer fractures in this way; past rescue cases have included instances where amputation was necessary due to such injuries. Even if a fracture is avoided, moving the rabbit to a different location presents further issues. The island is home to countless territories, none of which are particularly large. When a rabbit is carried and set down elsewhere, it is often placed outside its own territory. Being set down in unfamiliar territory frequently leads to attacks by other rabbits—a matter of life and death for the animal. Incidentally, this rabbit struggled to find food and was soon found dead.

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 to worry about water supplies, the question remains: will there be enough food to go around? Since the rain causes the grass and vegetation on the ground to grow rapidly, perhaps that will serve as a supplemental food source? When the weather turns bad, the number of visitors to the island drops drastically. Furthermore, since the Kyukamura’s own passenger boats do not operate during this period, the island is accessible only via the public ferry service if not interrupted by weather. When the rain and wind become severe, the rabbits seek shelter wherever they can find it—often making them incredibly difficult to spot. The attached photos were taken during past typhoon seasons. At those times, the island was virtually deserted; although there were a few hotel guests staying over, very few people ventured outside. For these rabbits—who live without any direct human supervision—this environment is far from ideal. This is the harsh reality of Okunoshima.

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 intervention—reaching out to lend a helping hand—they would undoubtedly be unable to survive. It would be misguided to view their suffering—whether falling ill, sustaining injuries, or falling prey to natural predators—as simply the natural order of things. These rabbits are the descendants of animals abandoned by humans; they are not creatures that originally existed in this natural environment. They are rabbits whose very existence is sustained by human self-interest—rabbits who have endured decades of sacrifice. If you view the rabbits of Okunoshima as wild animals, then you must stop providing them with food and water—starting today. Only then does the argument that "nature should be left to take its course"—or that "we should not intervene with the rabbits"—hold any validity. This is precisely the stance taken by the Ministry of the Environment. The Ministry's fatal error, however, was failing to prevent the city of Takehara and the Kyukamura resort from actively promoting tourism. To provide food and water only halfway—and then turn a blind eye when the animals fall ill or get injured—is an act of human egoism. This is all the more reprehensible given that the rabbits are being exploited as tools for tourism. It seems to me that we are left with only two choices: either provide full care—including food, water, and medical treatment—and allow them to inhabit the island under our supervision; or treat them as truly wild animals, providing neither food nor water, and refrain from any form of intervention whatsoever.

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 Okunoshima exist in an environment inferior even to that of a petting zoo—devoid of keepers or overseers—making the island, in reality, a tourist destination characterized by animal cruelty and pure exploitation. When viewed through the proper lens of how wildlife tourism ought to be conducted, it would come as no surprise if the situation on Okunoshima were to be deemed unacceptable and forced to cease immediately. Those who defend the current state of Okunoshima—or who have no desire to see it improved—fall into specific categories: those who derive economic benefit from the rabbits' presence on the island; those who visit regularly, seeking emotional solace in the animals; and tourists who view Okunoshima simply as an affordable destination for a family outing. The vast majority of these individuals believe that the rabbits are living happily on the island, remaining completely unaware that, once the visitors have departed, the rabbits are left to die. After the tourists have enjoyed their day of leisure, countless rabbits are left to suffer from injuries or disease, bringing their short lives to a premature end. This vicious cycle has persisted for decades. Anyone who has ever kept a rabbit as a pet should be able to fully grasp just how cruel a life it is for these animals—a life lived entirely without care or protection. The environment on Okunoshima is far from being a suitable habitat for rabbits. There is scarcely any vegetation for them to eat, and water sources are all but nonexistent. The summers are long and hot. The winters can bring snow and are cold enough to cause a decline in tourist numbers. Moreover, it amounts to the ultimate form of outdoor confinement. If Okunoshima is to be promoted as a tourist destination centered on rabbits, a commensurate level of responsibility must be upheld for the sake of the animals.

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 see the rabbits. This is why they are criticized for not giving anything back to the community. Very recently, I received an email from a former Kyukamura employee. The email described the dilemma and painful feelings they experienced at the time. They lived and worked on the island, seeing the rabbits every day. They likely had more opportunities than anyone else to see injured or sick rabbits. They were prohibited from feeding the rabbits by the Ministry of the Environment, and were unable to take injured or sick rabbits to the vet. Even if they could, it was limited to taking injured rabbits to their rooms in the dormitory to check on them. With what feelings, one wonders, did the staff members receive the directive from the Ministry of the Environment stating: "Since these are wild rabbits—and were raised in the wild—do not interfere with them in any way"? Had they dared to make any move to help the rabbits, they would likely have been fired. The email read as follows: "Whenever I had a day off, I would leave the island to buy food pellets and vegetables for the rabbits; then, taking care not to get caught, I would pack them into a pet carrier and bring them back with me. During the day—or after dusk had fallen—I would stuff the food into my backpack and go around the island, feeding them." Upon hearing the words, "I wanted to care for them openly," I realized that the staff at Kyukamura were, in their own way, victims as well. I can only take my hat off to this former employee who—despite having to worry about prying eyes—continued to care for the rabbits out of genuine concern for their well-being. When will true salvation come for the rabbits?　I find myself constantly questioning myself.

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, there is almost no one willing to reach out and offer a helping hand. Having witnessed such situations countless times in the past—and finding this particular instance simply too heartbreaking to bear—one of regular commuters, @tokidokitabini , stepped in to carry out a rescue. I believe that actions such as this embody the true spirit of those who visit the island regularly to watch over and care for the rabbits. It is a situation where sick or injured animals are simply left to suffer from neglect. I believe the first step toward improving this reality is for more people to recognize this for what it is: fundamentally wrong. If we truly wish to protect the rabbits of Okunoshima, we must exert greater pressure on the local authorities; otherwise, nothing will ever change. We must not give up. For to give up would be tantamount to abandoning the rabbits entirely. The Ministry of Environment, Chugoku Shikoku office Email: REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp

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 the ground and have become soiled with dirt. Furthermore, they are nearsighted and simply cannot see them. They aren't monkeys, after all. Even if you toss the food, they won't see it at all. I’d say their degree of nearsightedness rivals that of a panda. Unless a hungry rabbit happens to stumble upon it by chance, the food you leave behind will either simply turn into garbage or be picked up by volunteers. You must not assume that it is acceptable to leave food behind just because someone else will eventually pick it up. Please try to put yourself in the shoes of the volunteers who have to clean up the food you left behind. Also, consider the fact that the food you went to the trouble of buying with your own money is going completely to waste. The rabbits will approach you on their own when they are truly hungry. If they don't come up to you, please refrain from leaving food on the ground. Instead, offer it only to the specific rabbits that come close and show an interest in eating. But just because they’re eating, you shouldn’t leave extra items behind when you walk away. That’s the key point. Please put it into practice.

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 regulate their body temperature by sweating. Instead, their ears serve as crucial organs for dissipating heat. The rabbits captured in these photos and videos appeared to be either on the verge of heatstroke or already suffering from it. For these exhausted rabbits, even simple measures—such as draping a cool towel over their ears or placing a cold bottle beside them—seem to provide at least some measure of relief. When water is sprinkled on the ground, some rabbits will even lie down right in the wet patch; they are desperate to find any way to cool themselves down. During this season, just imagine how many rabbits could be saved if there were a designated "cooling room"—perhaps a tent equipped with fans—specifically for those suffering from heatstroke. Given that there is available space right next to the bicycle parking area, I believe there are certainly feasible solutions to be found...

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 helped save Ran-chan—an effort that has resulted in the rescue of 25 rabbits over a 20-month period (from July 2024 through the end of February 2025)—we have gained a detailed and accurate understanding of the actual health conditions facing the rabbits on Okunoshima. With the aim of preserving a record of these events—and, furthermore, to help a wider audience gain a deeper understanding of the actual conditions on the island—we have launched the website Ohkunoshimarabbitrescue.org (The Truth About Ohkunoshima: Rabbit Island). A link to this site is also included in @junkohiking profile section in Instagram, listed under "Truth behind Ohkunoshima." The site features all rabbits rescued between July, 2024 through Februray, 2026. We have also archived past posts originally shared on Instagram. Moving forward, we intend to continue updating the website to reflect the ongoing progress of our rescue operations. The latest information regarding donations is available on the site; if you would like to contribute toward the medical expenses of the rabbits rescued from Ohkunoshima, we would be deeply grateful if you would refer to that section. Also, special thanks to @bunnyintokyo who provided significant assistance in launching this site.