Tashirojima, a cat lover's paradise!
Travel and food are two of my passions in life. If I have all the time and money, I will travel to places I have never been before, and better yet, make food discoveries along the way. Marrying food and travel is a dream come true for me. But I have a third passion: cats! Cats have been a part of my life since I was little, and I have taken care a fair share of them in my life―a total of 10 so far up to now―so they have a special place in my heart.
Japan has something that beckons the attention of cat lovers like me: cat islands! Cat islands are islands filled with cats, and in such cases, they actually outnumber the human residents there. There are a few cat islands in Japan, and one can be found in eastern Japan.
For this article, I will introduce to you to the island of Tashiro, a paradise not just for cat lovers but also for anyone yearning for some different for their next travel to Japan!
The cats of Tashirojima. (Image credit: 石巻市)
Tashirojima (田代島) is a small island located off the coast of Ishinomaki city in Miyagi prefecture. The rural island is popularly known as one of the "cat islands" of Japan because of its high population of cats, where several hundreds of them roam the island. They outnumber the local residents that, according to the national census, currently stands at 62.
The map of Tashirojima. (Image credit: 石巻市)
I have never visited Tashirojima, or any cat island in Japan before. I have only seen these islands on television or other media, and I am fascinated to see how hordes of cats freely wander the island. They are basically the true residents of the island, and I am personally vested to know what it would feel like to be in such a place. For a long time, I have researched the place so that one day I can visit the island once and for all.
For those interested in paying a visit to the cat island, their journey would start from JR Ishinomaki Station (JR石巻駅 Ishinomaki-eki) in the city of Ishinomaki. From there, they can make their way to the Ajishima Line (網地島ライン Ajishima-rain) ferry terminal and take a ferry to the island.
There are two ports that visitors can get off at from the ferry. One is the northern port at Ōdomari, and the other is the southern port in Nitoda. Visitors can get off at one of the ports and venture the entire island on foot, where several roads and walking paths enable visitors to explore.
Cats are free to wander the whole island. (Image credit: 石巻市)
Cats are free to wander the whole island. (Image credit: 石巻市)
Historically, the island was centred around silkworm production, which attracted a lot of pests. To get rid of the pests, cats were brought in to address the pest problem. Over time, the feline population increased in contrast to the ageing human population, to the point that the ratio of feline to human population has become approximately 3:1. And of course, because of the overwhelming population of cats, there are no dogs on the island.
Cats have outnumbered human residents in ratio 3:1. (Image credit: photoAC)
On top of being pest controllers, cats are also culturally known to bring good luck to people. Because of that, the locals on the island can good care of the cats. In fact, a cat shrine (猫神社 neko-jinja) is built in the centre of the island between Ōdomari and Nitoda villages, in commemoration of a cat that was killed by a falling rock. Word has it that a fisherman felt sorry for the tragic death, and thus built it and buried the cat here.
Cat shrine in the centre of the island. (Image credit: 石巻市)
One important announcement for visitors of Tashirojima, however: rubbish bins, public toilets, restaurants and lodgings are not readily available on the island. Visitors can use the public toilet only at the Nitoda waterfront. Moreover, visitors must bring back all their rubbish when they leave the island.
Visitors will be interested to know that Tashirojima is also home to a campground that feature cat-shaped cabins. Located at the south of Tashirojima, this area is called Manga Island (漫画アイランド Manga-airando) and is operated by the city of Ishinomaki for visitors who want to rent out the cabin for the summer.
Cat-shaped cabins at Manga Island. (Image credit: 石巻市)
Each cabin can accommodate 5-6 people and is equipped with facilities like bedding, shower, kitchen utensils, and cooking equipment. Picnic tables and a lawn area are also available for stayers to use. The large cabins (5 people, 2 rooms) ¥9,000 per night for rent, and the small cabin (6 people, 1 room) is ¥8,000. For those interested, they can find more details at the link here (Japanese only).
Staying at Manga Island is the perfect summer getaway. (Image credit: 石巻市)
There is also a bonus for Muslim travellers: if they are worried about where to get food for their trip to the cat island, fret not! Apparently in Ishinomaki (the city before ferry embarkation), there is a Muslim-friendly restaurant named Yahataya! Located 12 minutes away from JR Ishinomaki Station by foot, Yahataya has always about serving quality dishes using local specialty ingredients, and they can customise them for suit our Muslim friend’s diets! Their signature dish is the Hitakami bento, which uses oysters (Miyagi is famous for their oysters). Reservation is required at least a day before departure date for preparing Muslim-friendly dishes. For more information, you can have a look at the restaurant’s website here.
Yahataya can customise dishes for Muslim travellers. (Image credit: 八幡家 – Yahataya)
It gets even better, especially for cat lovers. Yahataya's owner Ms. Abe Kiyoko (阿部紀代子) has something special in store for cat-loving visitors: burgers shaped after cats. Named Maki no Neko Burger (まきのねこバーガー), Ms. Abe came up with the idea when thinking of way to revitalize Ishinomaki after the 2011 disaster, wondering how to make the city more fun for visitors. After learning that people from all over the world visit Tashirojima for the cats, she came up with these cute burgers. Good new for Muslim visitors: there's a vegan version of the burger too, one that uses soybean patties instead. For more information on Ms. Abe's special burger menu, you have a look at the dedicated website here.
Yahayata is also home to the Maki no Neko Burger, themed after the cats of Tashirojima (Image credit: 八幡家 – Yahataya)
Yahataya (八幡家)
Address: 2-8-23 Chuo, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi
Nearest station: JR Ishinomaki Station (石巻駅)
Opening hours: 12pm－2pm, 5:30pm－8pm daily (reservations required)
Tel: +81-2-2522-0138
It would be a dream for me to visit Tashirojima if I have the time. Cats are my favourite animal, and to be surrounded by them would be an euphoric experience! I think every cat lover (including myself) should make it an imperative to visit this island whenever they can; it would be a blissful experience they will not forget!
More details on Tashirojima
Tashirojima is located off the coast of Ishinomaki city in Miyagi Prefecture. Visitors from Tokyo can take the Tohoku Shinkansen (東北新幹線) bullet train to JR Sendai Station (JR仙台駅 Sendai-eki), which should take around 90 minutes. From there, they can switch to JR Senseki-Tohoku Line (仙石東北ライン Senseki-Tōhoku-rain) to reach JR Ishinomaki Station (JR石巻駅 Ishinomaki-eki). From JR Ishinomaki Station, visitors can take a bus bound for Ajishima-mae bus stop (網地島前) in front of the ferry terminal. The bus departs infrequently, so alternatively visitors can also take a taxi (fare is around ¥1,000, a 10-minute ride), or simply walk there (approximately 30 minutes). Visitors can then proceed to take the Ajishima ferry bound for Ajishima, which stops at Ōdomari and Nitoda ports.
The journey from Tokyo to Ishinomaki via Sendai takes approximately 3 hours, and the fare is ¥11,960. The bus journey from Ishinomaki to Ajishima-mae bus stop takes approximately 17 minutes, and the fare is ¥250. The ferry ride 45–60 minutes, and costs ¥1,250 per adult per one-way trip. The ferry departs 3–4 times a day.
(INSIDER TIP: If you have the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), you can travel on the bullet train and make seat reservations for free! However, the fare for the bus ride from JR Ishinomaki Station to Ajishima-mae bus stop, and the ferry ride are to be paid separately.)
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
The new JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) and where you can use it. (Image credit: JR East)
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is an affordable pass that offers unlimited train rides on JR East lines, including bullet trains, within the valid area for 5 consecutive days. It's only ¥30,000, making it a considerable option for rail travellers. Pass holders can also reserve seats online for up to a month in advance for free on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
The JR-EAST Train Reservation. (Image credit: JR East)
Header image credit: 石巻市
Related Articles
Nazrul Buang
Latest Topics
