Tourists from around Japan have been flocking to this tiny fishing community, to know why this Island called cat Island.
The 22 humans who live on Aoshima, off Ehime prefecture, are greatly outnumbered by a population over of 120 cats. Aoshima Island is where cats rule over men.
Aoshima island, Ehime, has become one of the popular destinations for the cat lovers. The island has 15 people (between 50-80 years old) and more than 100 cats. The cats can be seen walking around or eating cat meals brought by tourists.
As soon as you reach on the island after a 35-minute ferry ride from Nagahama Port, Ehime prefecture, you’ll be welcome by many cats. Felines were introduced to the Aoshima Island to kill mice that plagued fishermen’s boats.
During WWII, many people shifted from the island to the main city.
The island population hit the highest of 655 people in 1960. There have not been enough job so many people left the island for earning. On 1976 the island’s only primary school shut down. In early 2000 the cat population started to grow while the human population hit then new low, 50.
Today you only see 15 people( 4 fishermen and the rest retirees) on the island.
There are no car or a bike on the island, it is a peaceful place for the cats, where they live happily among the many empty houses. This Island is heaven for cats. If you are a cat lover, you must visit this Island.