About 1,000 wild rabbits inhabit the island, and due to their high fertility rate, they are considered a symbol of safe childbirth and the blessing of many children. If you love fluffy bunnies, then this island off the coast of Hiroshima prefecture is the place to be. See the schedule here (in Japanese only).
#Feed animals in car near me free#
45-min ferry ride from Ishinomaki port to Tashirojima ¥1,250, primary school students ¥625, free for younger children. Tashirojima, Ishinomaki, Miyagi prefecture.
Between June and October, you can visit the on-site manga-themed camping resort, which boasts cat-shaped cottages, complete with cat-related artworks by famous Japanese manga artists. There’s actually more cat-related fun at Tashirojima, which is also known as ‘ Manga Island’. The cats are still pretty well protected – you’ll notice pet dogs are not allowed on Tashirojima. Local fishermen believed the felines brought good luck, so they protected them and even built a tiny, cat-sized shrine in the middle of the island when one cat died in an accident. Nitoda Port in the south is home to the island’s largest village and most of the stray cats. Once a flourishing island with over 1,000 residents, the population has dwindled to about 80 people – they’re outnumbered by the cats. The number of felines on this little island increased during the Edo period (1603-1868), when the island was known for its silk worm farms and cats were brought in to protect the silk worms from mice. See the schedule here (in Japanese only).Īnother popular cat island is Tashirojima in Miyagi prefecture, where a few hundred cats call home. The ferry departs six times a day between March and October, and five times a day between November and February. Ferry from Shingu port ¥480, primary school students ¥240, free for younger children. The coastline of Ainoshima is only about eight kilometres long, so it’s a short walk from anywhere to the eastern part of the island, where you'll find a small shrine and more than 250 tumuli – mounds of stones dating back to the fifth century, believed to be ancient graves.Īinoshima, Shingu-machi, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka prefecture.
Most are friendly enough that you can pet them, but keep in mind that feeding the cats is strictly prohibited. You’ll find them roaming around on the streets, sunbathing, snoozing or watching the local fishermen. Only 20 minutes by ferry from Fukuoka city, Ainoshima is home to more than 100 stray cats who live in the island’s small fishing village. This small island in Fukuoka prefecture is a must-visit for every cat lover.
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