The Japanese island where cats outnumber humans – and made it a tourist destination

On a miniature island off Japan’s northeastern coast, there’s an not going mum or dad angel: cats.

The animals outnumber people at the island of Tashirojima, and there’s even a “Neko Jinja,” or Cat Shrine, to praise their presence.

Legend says the island worn to be well-known for sericulture and farmers would store cats as a result of they might ward off rats, protective the silkworm cocoons from the rodents.

Fishermen at the island have additionally historically thought that cats carry just right success, together with massive hauls of fish.

Any other legend says fishermen worn to observe the cats’ habits for guidelines at the coming climate sooner than heading to sea.

The islanders have lengthy coexisted with the cats. One occasion, then again, a fisherman unintentionally injured a cat pace running. Feeling sorry for the trauma, the islanders constructed the shrine for cats.

Tashirojima is a part of the town of Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture within the Tohoku area, which changed into widely known next a tsunami devastated the segment following a large magnitude 9 earthquake on March 11, 2011.

Over 100 cats inhabit Tashirojima, along side about 50 people, in line with the town’s web page.

Alongside a paved street working about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) between the island’s two ports, cats groom themselves and mingle with alternative cats.

There are a couple of cafes and lodges, however incorrect automotive condominium stores, gasoline stations or crowd transportation. Vacationers are anticipated to journey up and ailing the island’s hills pace visiting.

Many of the cats are worn to vacationers, who will also be visible petting the pleasant animals right through the island.