By MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
Cat lovers are no strangers to Houtong Cat Village in New Taipei City. The newly opened cat bridge in March this year has drawn numerous feline enthusiasts for a pilgrimage, further boosting the popularity of this mountain town famous for its cats. Besides Houtong, other destinations such as Rome in Italy, Tashirojima and Enoshima in Japan, the Karagan Peninsula in Turkey, and the former home and museum of Ernest Hemingway in the United States have also become must-visit pilgrimage sites for cat lovers thanks to their adorable felines. These places, along with Houtong Cat Village, have been listed among the world’s top 6 cat attractions.
Cat villages aren’t just found in Taiwan — Japan, Italy, Turkey, and the United States also boast incredibly popular attractions thanks to their cats. (Image source / from http://friendsofromancats.org)
Taiwan — Houtong
Once the largest coal mining city in Taiwan, Houtong can be accessed by crossing the pedestrian overpass at Houtong Railway Station. The village, built against the mountains and situated higher than the station, is also known as “Train Head Village.” The increasing number of stray cats here is largely due to long-term feeding by local residents. Coupled with the photography works of Mrs. Jane Pin-lien, known as the “Cat Lady Doctor,” the fame of the cat village spread widely. The cat bridge, which opened in March this year, features cat footprints, photos, illustrations, and even platforms specially designed for cats to walk and jump on — making it the first pedestrian and feline co-use bridge in Taiwan.
Houtong Cat Village is truly a must-visit pilgrimage site for cat lovers in Taiwan. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)
Italy — Rome
In Rome’s Largo di Torre Argentina, there is a small Papal Tower, and next to the square stands the Teatro Argentina, built in the 17th century. Alongside the four remaining temple ruins, these are popular tourist spots today. However, in recent years, more and more visitors come to Largo di Torre Argentina not to reminisce about the past or immerse themselves in history, but to head straight to the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, or to watch the stray cats cared for by the center strolling or napping among the historic buildings — looking thoroughly content.
Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome, Italy, has attracted many tourists in recent years due to its numerous cats. (Image source / from http://news.softpedia.com)
Japan — Tashirojima and Enoshima
Tashirojima in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, covers a total area of just 3.14 square kilometers, with a population of fewer than 100 residents but several hundred cats — a true “cat island” where cats outnumber people. Additionally, the island has a cat shrine dedicated to the cat deity, adding a touch of magic to this feline haven.
Tashirojima is known as the “Cat Island,” where cats outnumber humans. (Image source / from http://yaroneko.blog55.fc2.com)
Another Japanese destination often referred to as a “cat paradise” is Enoshima, located about an hour’s drive from Tokyo. Its Shonan coastline gained fame through the classic basketball manga “Slam Dunk.” The island’s residents are avid cat lovers, and with many abandoned stray cats, the feline population has continued to grow. Today, there are more cats than residents on the island, making it a well-known cat island in Japan.
Another Japanese cat island, Enoshima, has also become a local tourist highlight thanks to its large population of cats. (Image source / from http://www.tokyoluv.com)