Aoshima, Cat sanctuary island in Ehime Prefecture, Japan
Located in the Seto Inland Sea, Aoshima extends for 1.6 kilometers and features numerous cats roaming freely across its coastal landscape and abandoned buildings.
The island transformed from a prosperous fishing community of 900 residents in 1945 to a current population of only 6 permanent inhabitants due to sardine depletion.
The cats of Aoshima receive food donations from across Japan, reflecting the national appreciation for felines in Japanese society.
Tourists can reach Aoshima via a 35-minute ferry from Nagahama Port, with two daily departures, and should bring their own supplies as no shops exist.
In 2018, authorities implemented a comprehensive neutering program for over 210 cats to control the population, which had reached a ratio of 36 cats per human resident.
Location: Ehime Prefecture
Location: Ōzu
GPS coordinates: 33.73611,132.48722
Latest update: March 10, 2025 22:06
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