On This Remote Island, Cats are King: Tashirojima, Japan

Cat Shrines

Within the Miyagi Prefecture, where Tashirojima is located, there are about 10 shrines to cats that can be found scattered throughout the province. Many people attribute this to the fact that silkworm-raising was a common activity in this part of Japan, and cats were often venerated for their ability to protect the silkworms from mice, saving the livelihood of the silkworm owners.

One of the most well-known cat shrines is on Tashirojima. Local legend says that a fisherman who accidentally killed a cat buried its body between the two villages on the island, and made a shrine on top of the grave. Now, the shrine, called Neko-jinja, is a site frequently visited by tourists.

Gorilla Jones

Other Islands

Tashirojima isn’t the only island in Japan that large amounts of cats call home. Aoshima Island, off the coast of the Ehime Prefecture, also hosts a cat population of about 120. Both Tashirojima and Aoshima have a very low population of humans — Aoshima’s population sits at about 20, while Tashirojima has about 100 residents. Both islands are falling into disrepair — many older buildings have been left vacant, and some are collapsing.

However, of all the cat islands of Japan, Tashirojima is the only one with cat-shaped buildings. A few houses on the island were built with decorative “ears” on top, and painted in bright red and white stripes.

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