Tashirojima

Tashirojimacat islandIshinomakicat shrinefishing village

Miyagi · Ishinomaki

38.2986°N, 141.4176°E

Tashirojima is a small island off Ishinomaki with an ageing population of well under a hundred and a great many cats. That is not an accident: the island's fishermen kept cats to control mice in the silkworm sheds, came to read their behaviour as a forecast for the catch, and built a shrine to them in the middle of the island when one was killed by a falling rock.

The cats are still fed and looked after by residents, and dogs are not permitted on the island. There are two harbours, Ohdomari and Nitoda, a walking route between them, and very little else — a few guesthouses and a shop. It is about forty minutes by boat from Ishinomaki, and it is worth remembering that this is a working community that was badly hit in 2011 rather than an attraction.

Essential Information

Opening Hours

Ferries on the operator's timetable

Closed: Sailings cancelled in rough weather — confirm before travelling

Entrance Fee

Ferry charged | Island free

Best Season

Spring and autumn | Avoid rough winter seas

Visit Duration

Half a day including the ferry

Getting There

Access Information

Tashiro-hama, Ishinomaki, about 17 km from the city centre. Ferries operated by Ajishima Line run from Ishinomaki to Ohdomari or Nitoda on Tashirojima, taking around 40 minutes from the Ishinomaki Chuo landing and around 30 minutes from Kadonowaki; from the old Kitakami river mouth landing it is about 45 minutes. Phone 0225-93-6125 for the ferry operator. Dogs are not permitted on the island. A shrine to cats stands in the centre of the island between the two harbours. Facilities are minimal — a few guesthouses and a shop.

Insider Guide

Premium

**Do not feed the cats human food.** Residents feed them and there are posted rules. Bringing snacks up from the mainland is discouraged. **No dogs.** The rule is absolute and is enforced at the ferry. **Bring what you need.** One small shop and a few guesthouses on the whole island. There is no convenience store and no cash machine. **Walk between the two harbours.** Ohdomari and Nitoda, with the cat shrine in the middle. That route is the island. **It is a real village.** Population well under a hundred, mostly elderly, and badly hit in 2011. Behave as a guest in someone's home rather than a visitor to an attraction.

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