Extremely adorable "cat paradise" — Japan’s Aoshima in Ehime Prefecture unexpectedly goes viral

▲ Aoshima in the Seto Inland Sea of Ehime Prefecture, Japan, has become widely known for hosting over 100 cats. (Photo/Screen capture from YouTube)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Besides the well-known cat island "Tashirojima," which is about an hour’s drive from Tokyo, another place that has recently drawn attention is Aoshima in Ehime Prefecture on the Seto Inland Sea in Shikoku.With fewer than 20 residents, the island is home to over 100 cats, which has led to its unexpected rise in fame.！

According to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, Aoshima is located in the Seto Inland Sea of Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku. It boasts crystal-clear blue waters and skies, stretching approximately 1,500 meters from east to west and about 500 meters from north to south. Most of the island’s residents rely on pensions or fishing for their livelihoods. The only transportation link to Ehime Prefecture is a ferry that departs twice daily from Nagahama Port in Ozu City.

% Credit: Fishing port scene (Photo/Screen capture from YouTube)

Originally an obscure island with no cars or vending machines, Aoshima shot to fame in late September after being featured on a Japanese website. Tourists have since flocked to the island by boat to visit this so-called "cat paradise." Locals say that around 10 years ago, the number of cats on Aoshima suddenly surged. Whether at the dock, in residential areas, or along the roads, cats of all shapes and sizes can be seen everywhere. There are even sightings of cats going out to sea to catch fish. If you show up with food, a crowd of cats will eagerly gather around, begging for a bite — absolutely adorable. However, due to its remote location, even many residents of Ehime Prefecture are unaware that such a "cat heaven" exists.

As more and more people shared information about the "Aoshima Cat Paradise," even officials from Nagahama City Hall reported an increase in inquiries about how to get to the island. The Yomiuri Shimbun spoke with people who had visited Aoshima to see the cats. “It was truly satisfying to experience the cats’ lives firsthand!” “I never expected there to be so many cats — it was so much fun.” Even the captain of the ferry to Aoshima was surprised. He noted that the number of tourists visiting the island each week used to be very low, but now it has truly become a cat island.

▲ The relaxed and laid-back cats of Aoshima can be spotted everywhere, leaving visitors amazed. (Photo/Screen capture from YouTube)

This wave of "cat mania" has prompted Nagahama City Hall to consider developing tourism themed around cats. However, the city also reminds visitors not to litter on the island and to avoid overfeeding the cats, in order to help maintain the clean environment of this "cat paradise."