Introduction
Cat Island (originally known as Ainoshima) is a small island located in the East China Sea off the western coast of Japan near Ehime Prefecture. The idyllic island has become famous for its hundreds of free-roaming cats that outnumber the human residents.
The remote island was once home to a thriving fishing village, but the human population has dwindled over the years. Now only a handful of people live there, caring for the many cats that inhabit the island. While the exact origin of the cats is unknown, they are believed to have been introduced by fishermen long ago to help control rodents on fishing boats.
Today, the island has become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors coming to experience the abundance of adorable cats lounging around the village. The feline residents have become quite accustomed to people and will readily approach visitors looking for pets and treats. While small in size at just over 3 square kilometers, Cat Island offers a unique opportunity to interact with its famous furry inhabitants.
Origins and History
Cat Island, also known as Tashirojima, has a long history as a fishing village. Located in Ishinomaki City, it became known for its large stray cat population. According to Visiting Tashirojima, the Japanese Cat Island, the island was established in the Edo period as a fishing and textile village. Cats first came to the island over 200 years ago when fishermen brought them from the mainland to help control the rodent population on their boats.
Thecats proved adept mouse catchers and their population grew over time. By the 1940s, the island was known colloquially as Cat Island due to the large number of felines living there. The fishing village suffered greatly during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, but the cats survived and have continued to thrive on the island.
Location and Geography
Cat Island, known as Aoshima in Japanese, is located off the coast of Ehime Prefecture in western Japan. The tiny island is part of the Oshima subgroup of islands in the Geiyo Islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Cat Island is approximately 1.1 kilometers off the coast of Hiroshima in the town of Ozu (Source: https://www.studycountry.com/wiki/what-island-has-cats).
Cat Island is only about 1.5 km around and covered with hills and forests. It has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. The island terrain consists of rocky cliffs, small beaches, and dense vegetation. Access to Cat Island is by ferry from the port of Sakushima, which is a short 15-minute ride away (Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/189432728047427792/).
Demographics
Cat Island has a very small human population of only around 100 people, with most residents being fishermen over the age of 65. According to Cat Island, Japan: Cats Outnumber Humans 6 to 1, the island’s population peaked in the 1950s at around 1,000 people, but declined as younger generations moved away. Now, there are only around 15 people under the age of 65 living on the island.
In contrast, the cat population is thriving at over 120, estimated to outnumber humans by 6 to 1. Cats were originally brought to the island by fishermen to control mice on boats. Over time, the cats multiplied but the human population declined, leading to the huge imbalance of cats to people today. The island has become known for its many friendly felines that roam freely and are fed by local residents.
Economy and Industry
Fishing has long been an important industry on Cat Island (Tashirojima). For centuries, the economy relied heavily on seafood and commercial fishing[1]. This changed after the decline of the fishing industry in the 1960s. Today, the main industries are tourism and agriculture. With its abundant cat population, Cat Island has become a popular tourist destination, especially for cat lovers. Tourists come to feed and interact with the friendly cats. Agriculture is focused on rice growing and vegetable farming.
The Cats of Cat Island
Cat Island is home to around 100-120 cats which vastly outnumber the human population of just 15 residents. The cats initially came to the island aboard fishing boats to help control rodents. With no natural predators on the small island, the cat population grew exponentially over the decades. The cats roam freely and have become accustomed to interacting with humans. The residents and tourists often stop to pet, photograph, and play with the friendly felines. The cats are well-fed by residents and visitors, and some even have names. While the cats are not officially owned by anyone, the residents collectively care for them by providing food, water, and shelter on cold nights. The sheer number of cats and the unique relationship they share with the human inhabitants has made them an iconic part of Cat Island’s identity and a major tourist attraction.
Tourism
Cat Island has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years, particularly for cat lovers. The island is home to hundreds of friendly cats that roam freely around the village. Many tourists come to feed, photograph, and play with the cats. According to https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/tashirojima-cat-island, Cat Island receives thousands of tourists annually.
The main attractions for visitors are the cats, the beautiful rocky coastline, and the traditional laidback atmosphere of the fishing village. Tourists can observe the cats napping at the port, strolling around town, or waiting outside houses to be fed and petted. There are no hotels on the island, but some fishermen’s houses offer basic accommodation.
The only way to reach Cat Island is by ferry from the mainland. The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes from Ishinomaki Port or Ogatsu Port. Ferries run 2-3 times per day. Visitors are advised to check ferry schedules in advance. The island has a small visitor center that provides maps and information.
Overall, Cat Island offers a unique opportunity to interact with the friendly felines and experience traditional Japanese island culture. With its scenic coastline and fishing village ambiance, it makes for a relaxing and memorable day trip or overnight visit.
Culture and Lifestyle
The island’s culture and lifestyle revolve around its feline residents. Cats outnumber humans almost 6 to 1 on the island. The majority of the human population consists of fishermen and women. Most residents are elderly, as younger generations have moved to the mainland for work. Daily life moves at a relaxed pace, dictated by the routine of the cats. Locals leave food out for the cats at designated times and places. The cats roam freely and make themselves at home wherever they please. They can be found lounging in workshops, stores, and even inside private homes. Locals have grown accustomed to their feline companions popping in for a nap or a meal.
The cats are revered on the island, with a small shrine called Nekokamisama dedicated to them. Locals believe the cats bring good luck and some make offerings at the cat shrine for blessings. Taking care of the cats has become an important part of the culture. The cats appear well-fed and docile thanks to the residents. Some locals even built small wooden cat houses around the island to give the cats warm, dry places to sleep (Source).
Tourists who visit are expected to respect the local culture and not interfere with the cats’ daily routines. Signs posted around the island ask visitors to refrain from feeding or touching the cats. The cats go about their usual activities, often ignoring the tourists entirely. Witnessing the unique relationship between the cats and humans is the main draw for visitors.
Environment
Cat Island is located in the Ehime Prefecture of western Japan. The island is part of the Ochi Islands in the Seto Inland Sea (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cat-island-japan-truth-ainoshima_n_58d83cf3e4b02a2eaab51a20). The island itself is only about 3 square kilometers in size. It features mountains, fields, and small fishing villages along the coastline.
The climate on Cat Island is mild, with warm summers and cool winters. The island receives high rainfall, especially during the rainy season in early summer. The ample precipitation helps support the lush, green vegetation and forests that cover much of Cat Island.
The coastline of Cat Island consists of rocky cliffs and small, sandy beaches. Offshore are scattered rocks and tiny uninhabited islets. The inland areas are more mountainous and forested. The highest point on the island is Mount Tatera, at 292 meters above sea level.
The island’s small human population and lack of major development have helped preserve the natural environment. Fields of barley cover parts of Cat Island along with citrus orchards. The island is home to various birds and marine life, such as squid and octopus which are caught by local fishermen.
The main environmental feature of Cat Island is of course its large feral cat population. The cats live primarily outdoors and can be seen napping along pathways, walls, and houses. Local residents provide food and limited veterinary care for the cats. Overall the cats seem to coexist peacefully with the natural habitat and local wildlife on Cat Island (https://www.thefactsite.com/cat-islands-japan/).
Fun Facts About Cat Island
Cat Island is a haven for friendly felines! Here are some of the most interesting and quirky facts about this unique island:
The island is officially known as Aoshima, but earned the nickname “Cat Island” due to its huge population of cats. There are only around 20 people living on the island, but over 120 cats! https://www.thefactsite.com/cat-islands-japan/
The original cat population started because of pest control. Fishermen brought cats to the island to control the mouse population on their boats. The cats then multiplied and spread across the island. https://allthatsinteresting.com/cat-island-japan
The cats on Cat Island are very friendly and love human interaction. Many will happily approach visitors looking for pets and attention. It’s the perfect place for cat lovers! https://www.thetravel.com/what-is-cat-island-known-for/
The cats have become a popular tourist attraction. Thousands of cat lovers take boats over to Cat Island each year just to see and photograph the friendly felines.
The cats are well taken care of by the local residents. They leave out food and make sure the cats have shelter. There’s even a cat shrine on the island!
With no natural predators, the cat population has boomed. Efforts have been made to spay and neuter cats to control the numbers. The island also has its own vet to care for the kitties.
Cat Island shows how cats and humans can live in harmony. The cats bring joy to the villagers while the villagers make sure the cats are happy and healthy.