Japan's Animal Islands
A Guide to the Nation's Most Unique Inhabitants
Ōkunoshima: Rabbit Island
Ōkunoshima, known worldwide as 'Rabbit Island', is a small island inhabited by hundreds of friendly wild rabbits that approach visitors. The island has a dark history, however; it was once the secret location of a chemical weapons factory during WWII. Today, the island has become a symbol of peace, with the gentle rabbits replacing its tragic past.
Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)Aoshima: Cat Island
Aoshima is one of several 'Cat Islands' in Japan, where felines outnumber human residents by a large margin. The cats were originally introduced to the island to combat rodents on fishing boats. As the human population dwindled, the cats multiplied freely. There are no cars or shops on the island, only tranquility and countless cats.
Source: Reuters & The Guardian news reports.Kōjima: Monkey Island
Kōjima island is home to a troop of Japanese macaques that have been observed and studied since 1948. These monkeys are famous for their innovative behaviors, most notably the story of a female monkey named 'Imo' who learned to wash sweet potatoes in the ocean water to clean them and add a salty flavor—a behavior that was then learned by subsequent generations.
Source: Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University.