🗺️ Tashirojima田代島

Japan has several small islands known as "Cat Islands," where many cats live. Tashirojima is one of the most representative "Cat Islands," with over a hundred cats living freely throughout the island. There are more cats on the island than residents. It is said that in the early days, when sericulture was thriving on the island, residents began to keep cats to protect silkworm cocoons from being eaten by mice. Another theory suggests that fishermen valued cats for their ability to predict the weather and fishing conditions based on the cats' behavior, which made them highly regarded. There is even a cat shrine that worships cats as deities. Walking along the roads, you can see the cats living their lives everywhere. The adorable cats make it hard to resist the urge to feed them; however, feeding cats is prohibited for tourists on the island. Please be sure to follow the rules to protect the health of the cats. When a cat appears in front of you, it often makes you want to stop and take a photo. When taking pictures, please be careful not to block the road or intrude into residential areas. If you want to stay on the island for a night, I recommend "Manga Island (マンガアイランド)," which features cat-shaped cabins designed by well-known manga artists such as Tetsuya Chiba and Machiko Satonaka. It is a little island that cat lovers will absolutely adore.

There is an island where over a hundred cats live. Tourists are prohibited from feeding the cats. Transportation is mainly by ferry, so please check the ferry schedule to avoid missing it. On Manga Island, you can rent camping gear and bicycles. Most facilities on the island only accept cash.