Introduction
Cat Island is a small island located in Japan that has become a popular tourist destination for cat lovers around the world. Officially named Tashirojima, Cat Island is located in Ishinomaki City in the Miyagi prefecture of Japan. This remote island is inhabited by more cats than people, with the feline population believed to outnumber the human population by 6 to 1.
The island first earned its nickname of Cat Island after becoming known as a place where cats could roam freely without fear of traffic or other dangers. Over time, the cat population grew as local fishermen kept felines to help control the rodent population. Today, the island is home to hundreds of friendly cats that roam the streets and beaches. Visiting Cat Island offers cat lovers a chance to interact with the playful felines in a relaxing seaside setting.
Getting There
The main way for tourists to reach Tashirojima Island is to fly into Miyazaki Airport and then take a ferry from the mainland. There are a few ferry options to choose from. The Miyazaki-Tashirojima Ferry runs two round trips per day and takes about 45 minutes each way. Tickets can be purchased at the pier. A cheaper local ferry also makes daily trips, but only allows Same-day Return tickets to be purchased. Alternatively, you can drive or take local transport to Ishinomaki Port and catch a ferry from there, which takes about 2.5 hours one-way.
Flights
The cheapest way to get to Cat Island is usually to fly into Miyazaki Airport. From Tokyo, you can find flights starting around 15,000 JPY ($115 USD) roundtrip on low cost carriers like Peach, Jetstar, and AirAsia. From Osaka, flights are around 20,000 JPY ($150 USD) roundtrip. Some of the cheapest airlines flying from Tokyo and Osaka to Miyazaki include:
- Peach Airlines: Flights starting around 15,000 JPY ($115 USD) roundtrip from Tokyo
- Jetstar Japan: Flights from around 17,000 JPY ($130 USD) roundtrip from Tokyo
- AirAsia: Flights starting around 18,000 JPY ($140 USD) roundtrip from Osaka
Flight time from Tokyo to Miyazaki is around 2 hours, and around 1.5 hours from Osaka. There are several daily flight options to choose from. Prices will vary by season with winter and spring generally being the cheapest times to fly.
Some sample flight deals from Tokyo to Miyazaki include:
Peach Airlines from 12,000 JPY roundtrip (https://www.kayak.com/flight-routes/United-States-US0/Miyazaki-KMI)
Jetstar from 16,000 JPY roundtrip (https://www.expedia.com/Cheap-Flights-To-Miyazaki.d1857.Travel-Guide-Flights)
So budget around 15,000-20,000 JPY ($115-$150 USD) for flights to get to Miyazaki Airport, which will put you just a short ferry ride away from Cat Island.
Ferries
Regular ferries from Kyushu to Cat Island depart from Shimabara Port and Misumi Port in Kumamoto Prefecture and Izuhara Port in Nagasaki Prefecture. According to the Japan Guide, the one way ferry ride takes about 45-60 minutes and costs around 1,250 yen per person. Ferries run 3-4 times per day, so it’s important to plan your schedule accordingly if you want to maximize your time on the island.
A Reddit user who visited Cat Island shared that the only way to get a reasonable amount of time on the island is to take the 9:00am ferry from Chuou Port in Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture. The next ferry after that doesn’t arrive until the afternoon, which significantly cuts down on your island exploration time. So aim to arrive at Chuou Port early in the morning if you want at least 4-5 hours on Cat Island itself.
Accommodations
There are a variety of lodging options available on Cat Island, ranging from traditional Japanese minshuku (guesthouses) to hotels. Most accommodations are located in the main village area of the island.
Minshuku are simple, family-run lodgings that provide breakfast and dinner. They typically cost 5,000 to 8,000 yen per night. Some popular minshuku on the island include Manga Island Lodge and Tashirojima Onsen Minshuku.
There are a few small hotels on Cat Island as well, like the Aoshima Island Hotel and Tashirojima Hotel. Hotel rooms range from 10,000 to 15,000 yen per night. The hotels offer more amenities than the minshuku.
Camping is another affordable option on Cat Island. There are campgrounds located near the beaches that charge around 1,000 yen per night.
Overall, travelers can expect to spend an average of 5,000 to 15,000 yen per night on accommodations when visiting Cat Island. The minshuku offer simple yet comfortable lodging at a budget-friendly price. Hotels provide more amenities for those seeking added comfort and convenience.
Food
Food on Aoshima is simple but delicious. Since the island is small, there are only a handful of restaurants to choose from. According to Aoshima: A Guide To Visiting the Best Cat Island in Japan, typical meals at restaurants cost around 1,000 to 1,500 JPY ($9-14 USD).
Some local specialties to try include udon noodles, fresh seafood like oysters and squid, and seaweed. A famous dish is Aoshima oysters, which are plump and have a sweet, briny flavor. The island is known for its clean waters, which provide excellent conditions for oyster farming.
There are also a few cafes on the island serving light fare like sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Prices are comparable to mainland Japan. For a cheap eat, stop by one of the small food stands near the pier selling fresh fried seafood for a few hundred yen.
Since Aoshima is quite small, it’s a good idea to plan your meals in advance. There are no convenience stores on the island either. Overall, costs for dining on Aoshima are reasonable but limited in options.
Activities
There are plenty of fun things to do on Cat Island, especially for cat lovers. Some of the main activities include:
Visiting the Miyori Shrine, known as the cat shrine, where cats roam freely. Many cat-related charms and trinkets are sold here. Entrance to the shrine is free.
Relaxing on the beaches and taking in the beautiful ocean views. The beaches are free and open to the public.
Hiking along the trails and paths around the island. There are some gentle hikes as well as more challenging treks up the hillside for better views. Hiking is free.
Browsing the local shops and cafes in the port town areas. You’ll find souvenirs, crafts, and cat-themed goods. Prices vary per item.
Interacting and playing with the friendly cats around the island. Just be sure not to disturb sleeping cats or kittens. Petting and photographing cats is free.
Visiting the Cat Island Café which has resident cats and cat-themed meals. A meal here costs around 1,000 JPY.
Shopping
Cat Island offers plenty of opportunities for cat-lovers to pick up souvenirs. Many of the shops cater to tourists with a wide selection of cat-themed items. Some popular buys include cat T-shirts, mugs, bags, stuffed animals, and other cat-decorated trinkets. You can find shops selling souvenirs near the ferry terminal and around the island’s ports. Prices for basic souvenirs like keychains and postcards tend to range from 500-1,500 yen. For larger or higher-quality items like stuffed animals, t-shirts, or decor, expect to pay 1,000-5,000 yen. If buying multiple souvenirs, budget around 3,000-5,000 yen total.
In addition to souvenir shops, Cat Island has some cafes and restaurants selling cat-shaped breads, pastries, and other fun eats. These make great edible souvenirs or snacks during your stay. A single cat-shaped pastry may cost around 500 yen.
Beyond souvenirs, Cat Island offers beautiful seaside views that are perfect for capturing on postcards or in photos to commemorate your trip. The cats themselves also make great photo subjects!
Total Costs
The total cost of a trip to Cat Island can vary greatly depending on the length of your stay, type of accommodations, activities, and food. Here are some sample estimates:
1 day trip:
Roundtrip flight to Sendai: $200-300
Roundtrip ferry to/from Cat Island: $50
Lunch, snacks, souvenirs: $30-50
Total: $280-400
2-3 day stay:
Roundtrip flight to Sendai: $200-300
Roundtrip ferry to/from Cat Island: $50
1-2 nights lodging: $100-300 depending on type of accommodations
Meals: $30-60 per day
Activities like fishing tours or bike rentals: $50-100
Souvenirs: $30-50
Total: $460-860
As you can see, a multiple day stay with nicer lodging can get quite pricey. However, you can also visit Cat Island relatively affordably as a day trip. The flights and ferry will be your biggest transportation costs. Opting for budget lodging and food can help reduce accommodation and dining expenses.
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/ynowp1/a_guide_to_visiting_tashirojima_cat_island_as_a/
https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/tashirojima-cat-island
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Cat Island is from April through October when the weather is mild and sunny. This is the peak tourist season, so you’ll encounter more crowds and higher prices for flights and accommodations. However, the spring cherry blossoms and fall foliage make these popular times to go. Late spring and early autumn generally have good weather with fewer tourists than summer. Avoid winter from November to March, as ferry services are limited, many businesses close, and snow can make getting around difficult.
According to Rove.me, the ideal months are May and October. In May, the sakura cherry blossoms are in full bloom. October brings fall foliage and cooler weather after the summer crowds have left. While summer (June to August) is hot, humid, and crowded, some may want to time their visit with the Aoshima Festival held on the island in late July.