Okunoshima,,,Poison Gas Island

Have you heard of Okunoshima before??
Okunoshima is small island located in the in the Inland Sea of Japan in the city of Takehara,Hiroshima prefecture.

It takes around 2 hours a bit more from Hiroshima city to the Island.
You can get there by JR Kure line and a ferry which runs from Tadanoumi station.




There are campsites, walking trails and places of historical interest on the island.
Besides,there is a congress-hotel ,a six-hole golf course and a small camping ground. Visitors are able to swim in the clean water surrounding the island, regardless of the tide level.




It is often called Usagi shima, or Rabbit Island, because of the numerous wild rabbits that roam the island - these creatures are rather tame and will come close to you.
And also it is called 'doku gasu shima(poison gas island)'.Because the island played a key role during World War Ⅱ　as a poison gas factory for much of the chemical warfare hat was carried out in China.



I was born and raised in　Hiroshima.But I had not known about this island for long time .
So I visited the Island to knew what was going on the Island in the past.

There is the poison gas museum in the Island.
Only two rooms large, the small building provides a basic overview of the construction of the plant, working conditions and the effects of poison gas on humans. Families of workers who suffered the aftereffects of the harsh working conditions donated numerous artifacts to help tell the story of the workers' plight when handling the gas with poor safety equipment that often leaked.

The second room shows how poison gas affects the human body through the lungs, eyes, skin, and heart. Images of victims from Iraq and Iran add to the message of the museum: that the effects of poison gas are devastating to people and should not be used in any war.




Because of the secrecy involved, people around the world and in Japan do not realize the active role the island played creating gas for the war effort. This is why the museum was created: to inform the world, especially the Japanese, about the aggressive stance that the country adopted.

The museum is aimed mainly at the Japanese people, but English translations are provided on the overall summary for each section.



This time,I visited this Island and could know what was going on the Island, what our Japanese did to other people in the past,and realizeｄ　how horrible chemical weapon is.

Usually when one thinks of Hiroshima,they think of it as a bomb dome or peace park.
Now I think that want everyone to came and visit to this Island as well,And feel something!!


peace in the world!!!!