Tashirojima, a Paradise for Cats in Miyagi Prefecture
Japan has many small islands with a large feline population, and even several places called “cat islands”. Some of them have turned into tourist attractions for cat lovers in recent years. Miyagi Prefecture also boasts such a cat island, Tashirojima.
Being an islet off Ishinomaki in northeast Miyagi Prefecture, Tashirojima has a coastline of only 11.5 km. On the island, cats are enshrined by the locals, who hold a long-standing belief that treating cats with kindness will bring huge catches of fish and prevent shipwrecks. Now the cats have outnumbered the local people.
All the cats there are very friendly with humans and may approach you when you pass them. ♥ Should you be also a cat lover, be sure to pay a visit!
Basic information on Tashirojima
- Address
- Tashiro Coast, Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture
- Access
- Take a bus or a taxi from Ishinomaki Station to the Ajishima Line Front Pier. Go aboard from the Pier and get off at Nitoda Port (An about 60-minute ferry ride).
- Schedule of the Ajishima Line
- http://ajishimaline.com/