Funds from the new levy – targeted for 2028 – will be used to improve sites such as a secret wartime chemical weapons factory and a museum
Tens of thousands of visitors flock to Okunoshima Island every year, the vast majority to admire the hundreds of long-eared residents. The island – which only covers 0.7 sq km – became a social media phenomenon in 2017, when there were some 400,000 visitors. According to local officials, 195,483 people visited in 2024.
The island is administered by Takehara City, in Hiroshima prefecture, and a panel is being created to work out the details of a new visitor tax to raise funds for the upkeep of facilities. The new fee is expected to be implemented in 2028, although a figure has not yet been decided.
Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with 88 TCF vendor(s) and 20 ad partner(s), or used specifically by this site or app.
Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. Look for a link at the bottom of this page or in the site menu to manage or withdraw consent in privacy and cookie settings.
