On Tashirojima Island in Japan, cats are treated like I believe they all think they deserve – like royalty. Located off the coast of Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture (in Japan, of course), the island’s not quite 100 human residents feed and care for the cats, who number in the hundreds. In Japanese culture, cats represent luck and good fortune, so caring for them is considered doubly lucky. And because keeping them as pets is considered inappropriate, most of the island’s feline inhabitants are feral, though well fed and generally cared for.
In addition to its living furry residents, Tashirojima Island features a shrine to a cat god. According to local legend, the island’s fisherman used to use cats to predict both the weather and the success of their catch. However, one day, a cat was killed in an accident, causing the island to go into mourning. In memory of the lost animal, the fisherman erected the shrine to worship cats as a deity.
Though dogs are not permitted on the island (for the obvious reasons), tourists regularly make their way there. But the tourism site advises that if you’d like to feed the cats, you should bring your own cat food or treats. Since roughly 83% of Tashirojima Island’s human residents are over the age of 65, the island is looking for new residents. So if you know any cat people looking to relocate…
You can check out Tashirojima Island on the Japan.travel website.
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March 30, 2021 at 8:29 am
This is what my cats tell me every day: “We’re gods, woman! Gods!!”
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March 30, 2021 at 8:22 pm
Ours definitely got the same memo.
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March 30, 2021 at 9:08 am
Wonder if they would like a few more? I have way too many.
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March 30, 2021 at 8:22 pm
I’m not sure they accept drop-offs, but it’s a funny idea! How many do you have?
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March 31, 2021 at 11:51 am
It varies but at least 12 or so. Who knows how many are out in the woods.
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March 31, 2021 at 6:52 pm
My goodness! That’s amazing. Good for you for taking care of all those fuzzy creatures.
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March 30, 2021 at 9:57 am
My wife was a cat lover. I was and still am a dog guy. Yes, if there is a cat in the house it is THEIR house and don’t forget it. Hal
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March 30, 2021 at 8:23 pm
True story!
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March 30, 2021 at 3:50 pm
I love this! I want to go there and see them! But not sure when we’ll be leaving the country. Or the state. Or the city. Or the house…
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March 30, 2021 at 8:23 pm
I know what you mean!
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March 31, 2021 at 11:03 am
Oh, nice! I could definitely live there! 😻
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March 31, 2021 at 6:51 pm
Ha! Me, too!
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