Latest List of Cat Islands in Japan

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Source: Findtravel
Source: Findtravel

Latest List of Cat Islands in Japan (Now 17 islands, probably the biggest list) Part 1

Latest List of Cat Islands in Japan. So far we featured 15 cat islands in Japan and we are still updating from time to me. (Updated in August, 2018)

 

As we are the big fan of cats and animals, and also avid travelers in and outside of Japan, we decided to help travelers with all necessary information to find and get the fun destinations. 

 

Our definition of cat island is an island where " no. of cat outnumbers no. of island resident " (NOTE: not all of the islands we introduced match the definition like Enoshima).

 

We featured Aoshima and Tashirojima and some other fun islands (rabbit island, shark island, camellia island). These two cat islands are not the easiest places to get. Also these locations may not fit your travel route. There are more islands with many cats in Japan. Hopefully one of these may fit your travel plan if you are a big cat fan and so desperate to get to a cat island. 

 

With this article, we try to list up and keep updated as many cat islands as possible. For the islands we specifically featured in the articles, you can check out "For more details, click here!" and we put more details to the islands we featured only here. In recent years, we noticed Yamaguchi prefecture has more cat islands.

 

If you know other cat island, please let us know! 

1. Aoshima island (青島 ), Ehime

Source: Findtravel
Source: Findtravel

One of the world famous cat islands (with Tashirojima island). The island is in Seto inner sea in Ehime prefecture. 100 cats for 15 residents.

 

Basic info

Name: Aoshima 

Access: by boat

Address: Ozu city, Ehime prefecture 

 

For more details, Click here!

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2. Tashirojima island (田代島), Miyagi

It is the one of two most famous cat islands in Japan (with Aoshima island). More than 10,000 visitors every year to see the cats. You can pay a visit to the Cat shrine.

 

Basic info

Name: Tashirojima 

Access: by boat

Address: Nitoda Tashirohama, Ishinomaki-shi, Miyagi prefecture

 

For more details, Click here!

 

<<For Tashirojima island, we have the local tour guide available! Contact us>>

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3. Ogijima (男木島), Kagawa

Source: Kentaro Ohno
Source: Kentaro Ohno

The name means "male tree island". It is paired with Megijima (female tree island) 1 km away. Less than 200 residents and many cats.

 

You see many cats around the Toyotamahime shrine.

 

There are some inns and a temple where you can sleep over.

 

The island was a venue for an art festival in 2010. Therefore, you see several art objects there.

 

Basic info

Name: Ogijima 

Access: by boat from Takamatsu port

You walk for 5-10 mins to get Takamatsu port from JR Takamatsu station

Address: Ogichō, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa prefecture

Boat Time table For Ogijima

Boat to Ogijima island Source: Wikipedia
Boat to Ogijima island Source: Wikipedia

Price: 510JPY per person one way

 

○Boat Time table (except for the summer season below this chart)

1st Jan-31st July, 21th Aug - 31st Dec
Takamatsu => Ogijima Ogijima => Takamatsu
Takamatsu dpt Megijima dpt Ogijima arr Ogijima dpt Megijima dpt Takamatsu arr
8:00 8:20 8:40 7:00 7:20 7:40
10:00 10:20 10:40 9:00 9:20 9:40
12:00 12:20 12:40 11:00 11:20 11:40
14:00 14:20 14:40 13:00 13:20 13:40
16:00 16:20 16:40 15:00 15:20 15:40
18:10 18:30 18:50 17:00 17:20 17:40


○Summer season time table

1st Aug-20th Aug
Takamatsu => Ogijima Ogijima => Takamatsu
Takamatsu dpt Megijima dpt Ogijima arr Ogijima dpt Megijima dpt Takamatsu arr
8:00 8:20 8:40 7:00 7:20 7:40
9:10 9:30     8:10 8:30
10:00 10:20 10:40 9:00 9:20 9:40
11:10 11:30     10:10 10:30
12:00 12:20 12:40 11:00 11:20 11:40
13:10 13:30     12:10 12:30
14:00 14:20 14:40 13:00 13:20 13:40
15:10 15:30     14:10 14:30
16:00 16:20 16:40 15:00 15:20 15:40
17:10 17:30     16:10 16:30
18:10 18:30 18:50 17:00 17:20 17:40
18:40 19:00     18:10 18:30

 

Contact: Tel: +81 87-821-7912

(Source: Shiyujima Line, as of Feb 2017 subject to change) 

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4. Sanagijima island (佐柳島), Kagawa

Cats on Sanagi island. 

ca 100 resident island is another cat island from Kagawa prefecture. It is one of the Shiwaku islands in the area.

 

There is some shop where you can buy food and drink. But the shop is sometimes closed. Neither inn nor any restaurant to be found on this island. You better buy stuff before you get this island.

 

You enjoy a lot of tasty sea foods on the island. Probably this is why many cats live there!

 

Basic info

Name: Sanagijima 

 

Access: by boat

First you get to Takamatsu station, then take train to Tadotsu station (多度津駅) around 40 mins, 660JPY. Then you walk from Tadotsu station to Tadotsu port for 30 mins. From the Tadotsu port, you take a ferry to get to this island 50 mins for 780JPY per person for one way.

You can get off at either Sanagimotoura or SanagiNagasaki both are the ports of Sanagi island.

 

Address: Tadotsu-chō, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa prefecture

Time table for Sanagi Island

Price: 780JPY per perso for one way

 

To Tadotsu port
Manabejima SanagiNagasaki Sanagimotoura Takamijima Tadotsu port Note
  7:50 8:05 8:30 8:55  
    10:00 10:25 10:50  
14:30 14:50     ※only on Sat
  15:05 15:25 15:50 16:15  
    17:10 17:35 18:00  
From Tadotsu port
 
Tadotsu port Takamijima Sanagimotoura SanagiNagasaki Manabejima Note
6:55 7:20 7:50    
9:05 9:30 9:55      
14:00 14:25 14:50 15:05    
    14:50 15:10 ※only on Sat
16:20 16:45 17:10      

Contact: Tel: +81 877-32-2528

(Source: Sanyo Line, as of Feb 2017 subject to change)

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5. Okishima island( 沖島), Shiga

Okishima, the island of Biwa lake Source: wikipedia

Only one island with resident which lies on the lake in Japan. As the key industry is fishery cats live there. There are some cafes and a post office with ATM on the island!

 

It is not full of cats as other islands above but it is close to Kyoto/Osaka thus easy to access if you rent a car. But if you take a public transport, because the bus to the port and the boat to the island are not often you need one day to visit to and come back from this island.

 

Basic info

Name: Okishima 

 

Access: by boat

First you get to OmiHachiman JR station (近江八幡駅) which is so easy to get from Osaka or Kyoto, then take bus to Horikiri port(堀切港) from which you take a boat to Okishima (10-15mins for 500JPY per person for one way). Boat only departs every one - two hour. 

 

NOTE: The port has nothing but some vending machine. There is no toilet at the port. Buy stuff and go to toilet before you take bus!

If you rent a car to get the port, parking space is quite limited (most of the parking lots are for the residents of island). There is one in front of souvenir shop at the port (500JPY for one day car park).

 

Address: Okishimacho, Omihachiman, Shiga Prefecture

 

You find the info all about Shiga on Shiga prefecture website.

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Share your cat island knowledge

This list is growing every year. Do you know more cat island or area full of cat? Please share with us if you want.

 

If you visit one of these cat islands, please follow the local rule about cats and all. Some islands have rules that you can only feed in specific area etc. 

Onegai Kaeru wants you to enjoy Japan trip.

 

If you are looking for more traveler"s info and can not find one, please let us know. We will try to help you with Japan Traveler Help Service (we work on hourly charge to arrange, book, find info you need). Feel free to contact us!

 

Looking for a beautiful Japanese inn with private bath during your trip to Japan? Here is the list!

 

 

Do you know an island with over 2000 years old tree in Japan? Please check this out!

 

Feeling hunger in Tokyo? Check this special articles where you can get full at super cheap price!

 

Onegai Kaeru, a group of passionate travelers, bring happiness to the world with its shopping support service and original super cute items!

 

Disclaimer: Even though we try to make the info as updated and accurate but the accuracy of the information herein is not guaranteed by us. If you have any uncertainty, please contact the information source.

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Comments: 1
  • #1

    John (Friday, 21 July 2017 08:25)

    Arigatogozaimasu! This cat island list is so helpful to make our travel plan to Japan! Nice work!