Interesting Facts about the Aoshima Island

A wonderful island called Aoshima Island or ‘Cat Island’ is in the middle of the ocean. You will find a group of cats around you when you reach there. After this, the cats will get excited and start chasing you. Finally, if you don’t open your bag and throw some food for them, they might snatch your bag. This page delves into the surprising story about Aoshima Island, or the Island of Cats.

It seems that all these cats have been hungry and thirsty for many days. But even if all these cats chase you, there is no need to worry. Because these cats know that outside guests are like gods to them, they keep bringing them delicious food, even on that wild island.
That is why the tribal cats of that remote island appear loving towards people.

Where is Aoshima Island or Cat Island?

In the southern part of Japan, in Ehime Prefecture, there is a beautiful and peaceful small island called Aoshima island in the middle of the ocean. Due to the abundance of cats, this island is known as Cat Island. Because there are so many cats there, their number is said to be forty times more than the population of people living there.

respect and love for cats

The interesting thing is that cats are seen as very respected animals in this place. There is also a belief that cats should not be hurt or harassed in any way.

Not only this, in such cat-friendly Japanese islands, memorial structures have also been built in memory of the cats killed in the accident. People who get there remember the dead cat and pray for the peace of the soul.

The respect human society shows towards animals in Japanese culture is extremely precious and world-famous. Therefore, we thought it appropriate to write this article about this rare human feeling of devotion to animals.

You may be curious to know why so many cats evolved on the island of Aoshima. For what purpose have so many cats been preserved?

And Why did all the people of that village move to the city? Also, why do people here have so much respect for cats?
Let us talk about all these topics now

Sad History Of Aoshima Island

Along with Japan’s modern human and material development, the island of Aoshima was also teeming with people in the past. In 1945, there was a beautiful village on the island of Aoshima with a population of about 900. It was small in area, about one and a half kilometers long and, on average, only half a kilometer wide.

At that time, the population was so high that the fishing business was successful even though it was a small island in the middle of the ocean.

Why did all the villagers migrate from Aoshima, and the island became the kingdom of cats?

The island of Aoshima was once a famous fishing village. The fish caught there could be sold in the nearest town on the peninsula.
But when fishing continued like this, the number of wild and domestic rats also started increasing, and it became surprising. The rats, thus born, started hiding in fishing boats and domestic fish stores, causing a lot of damage and misery.

After this, fish traders adopted the method of controlling rats by keeping cats in every house. This tradition of loving cats also spread among the people there, and everyone started respecting cats.

But with time, the popular sardine fish started disappearing from the coast, so people doing fish farming business started fleeing to the city.
In addition, Japan’s increasing modernization, education development, and urbanization also affected the island of Aoshima. As a result, people there moved to convenient cities to do work or business or settled in the city itself.

As this practice gained momentum, by 2013, the number of residents on the island of Aoshima had dropped to only 50 households. By 2018, this population had reduced so much that it was said that only 13 elderly people lived in that village. Not only this, but it is also said that there are only 5 permanent residents in 3 houses on that island, and all of them are more than 70 years old.

Concern about abandoned cats and their population growth

However, the number of cats on this island, which was becoming uninhabited, continued to increase. Since it was an island in the middle of the ocean, its resident cats could neither run away nor migrate elsewhere.

For this reason, more than 200 feral cats live on Aoshima Island. Still, the village is mainly surrounded by forest and devoid of human habitation, consisting only of old houses and a small section of ruins.

Many animal rights activists, locals, and cat lovers are concerned about the wild animals’ future after the island becomes devoid of human habitation.

Keeping this problem in mind that the number of cats should not decrease in the future, and they should not be seen dying of hunger, the local government allocated a budget for the infertility of cats last year. Meanwhile, 210 feral cats present or found there were neutered, and small parts of their ears were cut off to make them easier to identify and that they had been neutered.

However, it was discovered that someone who opposed this family planning program had already hidden some cats in his room. Therefore, the neutering program was not completely successful, and the threat of cat breeding remains.

What do so many cats eat in Aoshima?

After the population decline, the problem of food for cats became so serious that this island was also becoming uninhabited.

Not only this, but due to reasons like male cats harassing female cats, killing cubs randomly, and fighting between male cats during the breeding season, some elders living there were also getting upset.

However, as time passed, the cats also found relief as the number of tourists coming from outside increased despite the residents’ departure.

This place became famous for the name ‘Cat Island,’ Now tourists have started bringing food items for the cats living there. Due to this, the cats there have received relief.

The cats here seem to show a straightforward and calm attitude towards the guests. And when they see tourists, they approach them and ask for food.

Furthermore, visitors can enjoy taking pictures with them or petting them.
It is also said that animal lovers collect food from various places in Japan for the cat of Aoshima.

Apart from this, only 5 people are left here, and these elderly people deserve pity. Hence, tourists like to help them.

Rules of Aoshima Island (Cat Island)

Tourists going to Ashima also have to follow some rules.
For example, there is a specific place made for feeding cats, so giving food outside except in that place is prohibited.

Similarly, there is also a rule that any waste products taken from outside cannot be left on the island or brought back with them.

There is also a rule that this area is cat-friendly, so you can’t take a dog with you.

Furthermore, tourists visiting the island must carry food and water for the cats and themselves, as there are currently no hotels, shops, or restaurants.
Since this place is not a tourist area created by the government, it became famous when cat lovers started going there.

However, there is no need to worry about food and accommodation in this area because a tourist town about half an hour away has all kinds of facilities.

Is Aoshima the only cat Island in Japan?

You may be curious whether Aoshima is the only Cat Island in Japan. No, It is said that 11 different types of cat islands exist in Japan. But all of them, Aoshima Cat Island is one of the most famous for tourists.

It is also important to know that Japan’s next cat island, Tashirojima in the Miami province of northern Japan, is also more important from a tourism point of view. Because Tashirojima Cat Island has resorts and shops for tourist facilities. There are also monuments built in memory of the cat. But we will discuss it in another article.

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May all your moments be wonderful. Namaste! pamit!!