About this tour
When Jake from our team ran this private tour, we headed to Okunoshima — the island famous for its population of over 900 semi-tame rabbits — then swung through Saijo's sake brewery district. It's a 9-hour-plus day that mixes quirky animal encounters with Japan's serious drinking heritage. The vibe is relaxed; you're moving between ferry, island wandering, and heritage breweries with your own English-speaking guide. Suits small groups after a taste of both wildlife and the craft behind one of Japan's most iconic exports.
Highlights
- Roaming freely among hundreds of rabbits on a dedicated island
- Sake tasting lessons that teach you how to taste and buy properly
- Private guide means the pace is yours, not a crowd's
- Ferry ride across to the island breaks up the day nicely
- Saijo brewery town shows the heritage side of sake production
- Flexible itinerary — you can add stops if you fancy them
- Includes water and transport; breweries provide the tastings
What to expect
The day kicks off with a pickup and ride to the ferry terminal, then a scenic crossing to Okunoshima. Once you're on the island, expect to spend a good chunk of time wandering among rabbits that are used to visitors but still genuinely wild — they'll eat from your hand if you're patient. It's oddly meditative and the rabbits are legitimately everywhere. After that, you'll head to Saijo or Takehara (depending on what's arranged) for sake brewery visits. Jake found the tasting sessions informative rather than rushed; guides walk you through how to properly nose and sip sake, and they explain the brewing process. The island part is photo-heavy and feels more novelty, but the brewery leg has real depth if you're keen on the craft side of things.
Pacing depends on your mood since it's private, but expect a fair bit of moving between spots. The ferry ride's scenic, and Saijo's an attractive heritage town, so it doesn't feel like a slog. Lunch isn't included, so you'll need to eat on the island or in town — not a huge range of options on Okunoshima itself.
What travellers say
- Private guide keeps pace flexible, not rushed
- Rabbit island is genuinely one-of-a-kind globally
- Sake tasting teaches you actual techniques, not just samples
- Transport and ferry included in the base price
- Customisable itinerary — add or skip spots as you prefer
- Lunch not included; limited food options on the island
- Island walking involves uneven terrain and no shelter
- Not safe for certain health conditions; check restrictions
- Extra attractions mean paying admission fees on the day
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Small-group private tours mean you're not herded around, and your guide adapts to what you're actually interested in. The rabbit island is genuinely unique — nowhere else in the world lets you wander among wild rabbits like this. If you're into sake or Japanese craft, the brewery visits are worth it; you'll learn proper tasting technique and the stories behind what you're drinking. Transport and water are bundled in, and you can tailor the route.
Lunch isn't included, and island food options are limited (bring snacks or eat before/after). Ferry crossings depend on weather, so seas can get choppy. The island involves walking on uneven ground with no shade in places — wear good shoes and sunscreen. Not suitable if you've got spinal issues, pregnancy, or serious heart concerns. Minimum group size is two people, so solo travellers need to find a buddy or pay a premium. Any extra spots you add on mean extra ticket fees on the day.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.