Tashiro Island

What to know

Tashirojima (田代島) is a tiny, rural island located off the central coast of Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture. Affectionately known as 'Cat Island,' it is home to hundreds of felines that are cared for and revered by the island's human residents.

The cats were originally brought to the island to control pests around silkworm farms. Over time, their population has grown so much that they now outnumber the aging human residents by nearly four to one.

Cat enthusiasts from around the world visit Tashirojima, which is accessible via a one-hour ferry ride from central Ishinomaki. The ferry stops at two settlements: the small village at Odomari Port in the north and the larger, more developed village at Nitoda Port in the south. Narrow roads and walking trails connect the two villages across the forested interior.

The 2011 tsunami partially flooded both villages and destroyed several buildings near the coast. However, the island's location behind a peninsula shielded it from more severe damage, and most debris was cleared within a year.

Fishing has long been a key industry on Tashirojima. For generations, fishermen cared for and protected the semi-wild cats, believing they brought good luck. Following this tradition, they built a small, cat-sized shrine called Nekokamisama (Cat Shrine) in the center of the island, dedicated to a cat accidentally killed by a falling rock. The shrine is located along the road about halfway between Odomari and Nitoda.

Most cats on Tashirojima are found around Nitoda Port on the southeastern side. They roam freely and seem to enjoy the attention from tourists who photograph and play with them.