Cat Island, Japan
Aoshima is a unique cat island in Japan. There are several reasons for this, but one stands out as soon as you step off the boat, with a meowing welcome committee rushing up to greet you: the local feline population density. Only a few years ago, this tiny island was home to an estimated 200 cats. There are a variety of breeds represented, with an overwhelming majority of orange and brown tabbies, as well as calicos.
You might assume that a small island like Aoshima doesn't have a lot to offer. and you are correct. Imagine, however, spending time with a group of amiable meowing and purring cats, strolling around the island with them by your side, or simply relaxing while your furry friends lazily play, stretch, and sleep while you take in the serene waters of the Seto Inland Sea. Aoshima is unquestionably a cat lover's paradise.
Because Aoshima is not a popular tourist destination, it is critical to respect the island's tranquility as well as private property. Some locals may enjoy interacting with visitors, while others simply want to live in peace. Also, Aoshima has no accommodations, shops, cafes, or vending machines, so bring everything you might need and take your garbage with you. Local residents feed the cats every day, so they don't have to beg for food. However, feeding the cats is always a pleasant experience for visitors, so feeding is permitted within a designated area to avoid disrupting port activity and disturbing the residents. Just make sure to bring only cat food and feed them in moderation to prevent making them ill. Food isn't the only thing that can make a cat happy, though; giving them toys to play with is also a good idea.
Aoshima evolved into a "cat island" entirely by chance. It was once a bustling fishing village whose livelihood was based on a sardine fishery, where cats were introduced to hunt mice. The island's fishing activity and human population declined over time, but the cats survived and thrived. Following the discovery of the island by some cat lovers, word-of-mouth spread, which was then greatly amplified by the Internet (the other cat paradise). This propelled the small sleepy island to international prominence as the cat island, attracting both Japanese and international visitors.
Location: Aoshima Island, Japan
