Introducing this video of Okunoshima This video, titled "Okunoshima, AKA 'Rabbit Island,' in the Seto Inland Sea" (瀬戸内海の「うさぎ島」大久野島), was created by "AQUA Geo Graphic." The video shows scenes of Okunoshima, an island in Takehara City, Hiroshima, in Japan's Chugoku region. Adorable rabbits fill the screen, hopping around freely and you can enjoy their cuteness to your heart's content. More than 900 rabbits currently inhabit Okunoshima, and in recent years, the island has been attracting attention as a tourist area, with many visitors from both Japan and abroad. Why is Okunoshima known as "Rabbit Island"? Photo：Rabbits on Ohkuno Island, Takehara, Hiroshima You're probably wondering, "Are there really that many rabbits on the island"? Originally there were only 8 rabbits on the island. They were raised at a local elementary school in 1971. Over time, the island was deserted, and the rabbits were released to live in the wild. The rabbits belong to the European rabbit species, and are so fertile that they have actually been designated one of the 100 worst invasive alien species in the world. After being released into the wild, they multiplied rapidly, leading to a massive rabbit population in just a short amount of time. The trading of European rabbits is currently strictly regulated and Okunoshima is one of the few places in Japan where these wild rabbits can be seen. In fact, Okunoshima became a hot topic overseas before it gained attention in Japan. A foreign tourist who visited the island for sightseeing posted a video playing with the rabbits, and the video gained a lot of attention online. In addition, it just so happens that in 2011, it was the zodiac year of the rabbit and Japanese media introduced the island as "Rabbit Island" and that became the reason for the island's rise in popularity. A Look at Okunoshima Photo：Okunoshima, Takehara, Hiroshima Okunoshima is a small island with a circumference of about 4 km. You can make a full trip around the entire island on foot or on bicycle, and driving is prohibited. Additionally, be sure to follow the island's rules when interacting with the rabbits. Rabbits are anxious animals and are very sensitive to sound. Although the rabbits living on the island are wild, they are very friendly towards humans due to having become used to being fed by hand. This can be seen from 0:44 in the video. Unfortunately, the sounds of engines, braking, and honking are frightening and confusing to the rabbits. Furthermore, if you attempt to forcibly pick up or touch the rabbits, they may bite in self-defense, causing injury. Their bites are quite strong, so be careful! There are devices installed along the coastline which visitors can use to find out what the world sounds like to rabbits. This will show you why it's important to be careful around the rabbits. Okunoshima was temporarily uninhabited during World War II, but now almost the entire island has been designated a tourist destination. The land is owned by the Ministry of the Environment, with the Kyukamura Association being in charge of the daily operations of "Kyukamura Okunoshima Hotel". In other words, most of the current inhabitants of the island are the employees of the hotel and their families. The History of Okunoshima Photo：Ruins on Okunoshima, Takehara, Hiroshima Okunoshima Island is now a place visited by many tourists who come to play with the adorable rabbits. However, during the early Showa Period, it was actually home to Japan's only poison gas factory, built by the Imperial Japanese Army. Additionally, it was originally meant to host a factory for building warships. This dark history led to the island being erased from maps for many years. There were a few private houses on the island, but the original islanders were forced out of their homes in order to build the poison gas factory. The history of that time is recorded in the Poison Gas Museum (毒ガス資料館). Summary of Okunoshima Island Photo：Okunoshima Wharf, Takehara, Hiroshima The island can be accessed via the ferry that departs from the Mihara area (三原地域). There is no plane access to the island. A trip by ferry takes only about 15 minutes, which means you can enjoy taking a day trip to see the rabbits on the island. The main facilities of the Kyukamura Hotel are as follows: ・ Tennis field ・ Fishing area ・ Beach ・ Outdoor pool ・ Camping site and more! You can also enjoy lunch at the restaurant. Detailed information can be found on the official website of the Okunoshima Visitor Center. 【Official Website】Okunoshima｜Tourist Area｜Takehara City Official Tourism Site Hiroshima Takehara Tourism Navigation https://www.takeharakankou.jp/en/ 【Tripadvisor】Okunoshima https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1022436-d3243254-Reviews-Okunoshima_Island-Takehara_Hiroshima_Prefecture_Chugoku.html

Video Introduction of the Eurasian Red Squirrel of Hokkaido This video, titled "The Eurasian Red Squirrel Playing in a Field of Pink and Blue Flowers [2020]" (エゾリス駆ける、ブルーとピンクのお花畑は そのまんまメルヘンの世界だった 2020), was uploaded by "Shinji kawamura." The video shows footage of the Eurasian red squirrel eating nuts and running around cutely. What the Cute Eurasian Red Squirrels of Hokkaido Look Like Photo：A Eurasian Red Squirrel, Hokkaido The Eurasian red squirrel weighs approximately 300 to 410 grams and is approximately 22 to 27 cm in length, which is about the size of a kitten. A baby squirrel is about 6 to 8 centimeters long, making it very small and cute looking. The tail of the Eurasian red squirrel is covered with hair that is roughly 5 cm long, which makes the body of the squirrel itself appear larger. The hair itself is very fine, so you can see in the video how it fluffs up whenever the squirrel moves around. [Video] 4:04 - The cute tail of the Eurasian red squirrel Lifespan of the Eurasian Red Squirrel Photo：A Eurasian Red Squirrel, Hokkaido Natural predators of the Eurasian red squirrel include birds, such as crows, owls, and hawks, as well as cats and foxes. They live in nests in trees to protect themselves from their natural predators. The life span of the Eurasian red squirrel is said to be 2 to 4 years, but in some cases, they may live as long as 6 years. In Japan, they have to endure the harsh cold of Hokkaido, but they do not hibernate. Before winter is in full swing, they gather nuts and bury them in the ground to prepare for winter. Starting from around December, Hokkaido is covered with snow, so it's difficult for humans to tell where the squirrels have hidden their nuts. However, the Eurasian red squirrel can pinpoint the location of buried nuts and eat them. And while the winter coat of the Eurasian red squirrel is characterized by its fluffiness, it changes into a summer coat during the spring and summer months, giving them a slender appearance. Where to Spot the Eurasian Red Squirrel Photo：A wooden path at Maruyama Park, Sapporo The cute and cuddly Eurasian red squirrel lives in places where it's very cold, such as the northern part of Eurasia. In Japan, they can only be seen in Hokkaido. They inhabit the plains and subalpine forests of Hokkaido. It's difficult to go to a natural forest to see Eurasian red squirrels, even if you would like to see them in person after watching a video. We recommend Maruyama Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido. You may be lucky enough to see wild Eurasian red squirrels in Maruyama Park, a park surrounded by nature in Sapporo, Japan. In addition, an albino Eurasian red squirrel was spotted on the campus of Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and blew up on the internet for a while. Incidentally, the Birds and Wildlife Protection Law prohibits the breeding of Eurasian red squirrels. Therefore, you have to go to Hokkaido to see them in Japan. If you want to see these cute little creatures, consider making a trip to Hokkaido! Summary of the Eurasian Red Squirrel Japan offers beautiful natural scenery in each of its four seasons. In this article, we introduced the cute Eurasian red squirrels of Hokkaido. They look like something out of a fairy tale. The sight of them running around energetically in a field of flowers is quite relaxing. Hokkaido is the only place in Japan where you can see Eurasian red squirrels in the wild. In Maruyama Park in Sapporo, there is a possibility to see Eurasian red squirrels in their natural habitat. If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido, consider checking them out? [Video] 1:13 - Eurasian red squirrels eating nuts Until you actually get to see them in person, please enjoy the lovely footage introduced in this article.

Scuba Diving With Dolphins on Hatsushima: Video Introduction This video, titled "Scuba Diving Diving with Dolphins on Hatsushima" (スキューバダイビング 初島でイルカとダイビング), was uploaded by "Sazanami Marine Diving School." Hatsushima is known as a marine resort that can be visited on a day trip. It takes about 40 minutes from Tokyo to Atami by Shinkansen, and about 30 minutes by boat from Atami Port to Hatsushima. Dolphins on Hatsushima Photo：Dolphins on Hatsushima Scuba diving on Hatsushima can be enjoyed throughout the year, regardless of the season. Starting in around 2018, two southern bottlenose dolphins took up residence on Hatsushima, becoming very popular among scuba divers. Various stores now offer one-day tours of Hatsushima where you can dive with the dolphins. However, the two dolphins disappeared from the island in the summer of 2020 and were no longer seen. Some divers who had been looking forward to seeing the dolphins were disappointed. Luckily, in 2022, the two dolphins returned to Hatsushima, leading to many people expressing their joy online. Being able to meet friendly wild dolphins in the ocean is an incredible experience! In the video, you can see how the dolphins swim from up close. Scuba Diving on Hatsushima! Things to Keep In Mind When Swimming With Dolphins Photo：Dolphins on Hatsushima Once it became known that two friendly dolphins were living around Hatsushima, recreational scuba diving, experience diving, etc., became incredibly popular. One spot where you can dive with the dolphins is Nishimato (ニシマト). When swimming with dolphins, you may be tempted to try and pet them, but there are rules to keep in mind when scuba diving. -Do not chase the dolphins -No lights or strobes -Do not bring objects that beep or ring -Do not touch the dolphins Please keep these rules in mind when scuba diving in order to protect the dolphins The Waters Surrouding Hatsushima – Transparency, Temperature, Etc. Water temperature and transparency are the main things to keep in mind when diving on Hatsushima. The Hatsushima Diving Center updates the sea conditions almost daily on their Facebook page. The water temperature in early June is approximately 19 to 21 degrees Celsius (66-70°F). The transparency of course depends on the weather and sea conditions, but it's generally around 12 to 15 meters. The Various Marine Life Near Hatsushima Photo：Bullhead sharks on Hatsushima Dolphins aren't the only thing to look forward to when scuba diving on Hatsushima. At the diving spot Futatsune, you can see a variety of sea creatures, including large schools of knifefish and grunts, as well as angel sharks, guitarfish, and bullhead sharks. The area is also home to many microorganisms, including Izu's very popular harlequin shrimp, the warty frogfish, and the harlequin ghost pipefish. Cute creatures such as the painted frogfish, the spotfin frogfish, and the pikachu nudibranch also inhabit the area, adding to the fun of scuba diving. Beginner-Level Scuba Diving Experience Fees on Hatsushima After watching the video, you might be looking to try scuba diving. The good news is you don't need to have a license! During the diving experiences on Hatsushima, you'll be briefed on how to handle diving equipment, basic techniques, such as breathing techniques, and pressure equalization before you dive, so you can enjoy safely scuba diving with an instructor. The video creator, Sazanami Marine Diving School, offers a course called "Hatsushima Day Trip Experience Diving with Transportation from Shibuya" (渋谷から送迎付き初島日帰り体験ダイビング). Fee: 23,000 yen (tax included) (Included in the fee: transportation from Shibuya to the dive site, rental of a set of diving equipment, one experience dive, a local facility fee, and consumption tax) Being able to scuba dive with transportation from Tokyo makes it super convenient. It's a great way to experience the waters of Hatsushima! Scuba Diving Is Even More Fun With a License! Photo：Scuba diving Scuba diving is a marine activity in which you carry a tank filled with air on your back for breathing and enjoy the underwater world. With a license, you can dive not only on Hatsushima, but also at other diving spots around the world. With a license, you can enjoy diving freely without an instructor. Diving as a sport or profession, such as technical diving, free diving, and commercial diving, is also possible with a license. Scuba diving is a marine activity that even beginners can experience. However, if you're afraid of suddenly being underwater, you can also start from the beach; this is called a beach dive. Also, if you record information such as where you dived and the sea conditions in a log book, your instructor can give you advice on the best dive sites for your level. How to Get to Hatsushima The only way to get to Hatsushima is via ferry from Atami Port. The high-speed ferries head to and from Hatsushima 10 times a day. The ferries take 30 minutes to reach Hatsushima from Atami Port. Their fees are as follows: Atami/Hatsushima Ferry Fees Adults (Round trip): 2,800 yen Adults (One way): 1,400 yen Children (Round trip): 1,400 yen Children (One way): 700 yen For information about ferry schedules, please check out the official website for Hatsushima. Other Things to Do on Hatsushima Because Hatsushima is rather small there isn't a ton of other attractions on the island. However, Because Atami is only 30 minutes from Hatsushima via ferry, we'll introduce some things to do near Atami Port as well. Sarutobi (Hatsushima) Sarutobi is an adventure park with where visitors put on a harness and enjoy a massive jungle gym full of ziplines and nets. You can spend an hour walking through the tree tops! Hours: Hours vary by day. Please check the official website for more information. Closed: Most Thursdays. Please check the official website for more information. Admission Fee: Admission Fee: Adults (junior high school students and older): 1,900 yen, Children (Ages 5 through elementary school): 1,500 yen Atami Castle (Atami Port) Atami Castle is a popular tourist attraction in Atami, Shizuoka. Atami Castle is not actually a historic castle, and was built as recently as 1959. Located atop a small mountain, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of Atami from the top of the castle. Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Last entry 4:30 pm) Admission Fee: Adults: 1,100 yen, Elementary and junior high school students: 600 yen, Children ages 3-6: 450 yen ※Discounts are available for those that buy a combined ticket for Atami Castle and Atami Trick Art Museum. Atami Trick Art Museum (Atami Port) The Atami Trick Art Museum is full of illusory artworks meant to trick visitors into seeing something that isn't real. There are a lot of fun works inside the museum and you can enjoy taking pictures and solving how each of them works. Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (4:30 pm) Admission Fee: Adults: 1,100 yen, Elementary and junior high school students: 600 yen, Children ages 3-6: 450 yen ※Discounts are available for those that buy a combined ticket for Atami Castle and Atami Trick Art Museum. Summary of Hatsushima, a Scuba Diving and Resort Spot in Shizuoka Prefecture Photo：Hatsushima, Shizuoka Prefecture Hatsushima is the most popular resort within close proximity to the Tokyo metropolitan area, and is a place where you can enjoy scuba diving with dolphins. Although you're not guaranteed to be able to meet the dolphins, you can still see a wide variety of unique marine life in the waters surrounding Hatsushima! 【TripAdvisor】Hatsushima