Overview
Aoshima is a tiny island in the Iyo-nada waters of the Seto Inland Sea, part of Ozu City in Ehime Prefecture. Measuring only about 0.49 square kilometers, it has become world-famous as a Cat Island where felines far outnumber the human residents. Cats originally brought to control rodents on fishing boats stayed and multiplied, and today they are the island's true stars. Travelers from Japan and abroad come to enjoy the sleepy fishing-village scenery and the relaxed company of the cats.
Highlights
- ●Meeting the friendly cats that gather near the harbor
- ●A humble fishing-village landscape packed into a 0.49-square-kilometer islet
- ●Views over the Iyo-nada sea from the high ground near 91 meters elevation
- ●Quiet island time on an island with no stores or vending machines
History
Once part of the former town of Nagahama in Kita District, Aoshima thrived on fishing, especially sardines. As sardine stocks became depleted and jobs moved to the cities, the human population fell sharply; by December 2024 only four people were reported to remain. Meanwhile the cats, introduced to keep rodents away from fishing boats, bred freely in an environment with few predators and at times outnumbered people many times over. In recent years the cat population has settled to around 80.
Access
Aoshima is usually reached by a small ferry from Nagahama Port on the mainland. The island sits in the Iyo-nada sea at roughly 33.7 degrees north and 132.5 degrees east, so visitors head first to Nagahama, reachable from central Ozu or the Matsuyama area. Ferry sailings are limited, and because the island has no shops, vending machines, or lodging, be sure to bring drinks and food from the mainland. Check official sources for the latest timetable and boarding rules.
Best season
The mild Seto Inland Sea climate makes Aoshima pleasant year-round, but spring and autumn are especially comfortable, with calm seas and gentle sunshine. Bring a hat and water in summer, as shade is scarce, and dress warmly in winter against the cold sea wind. Taking a morning ferry lets you enjoy unhurried island time while the cats laze about.
Map
33.7361, 132.4872 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Stock up on food, drinks, and cat treats at Nagahama Port and board the ferry
- 2Arrive at Aoshima's harbor and stroll the hamlet greeted by cats
- 3Climb the high ground for a sweeping view of the Iyo-nada sea and the port
- 4Relax until the return ferry, then carry your trash back to the mainland
Did you know?
💡 The ratio of cats to people on Aoshima was once reported at between 6 to 1 and 10 to 1, and as elderly residents passed away it reportedly climbed to nearly 36 to 1. The island has no motorbikes, bicycles, stores, or restaurants, and even cat food must be carried over from the mainland. Branch schools once operated here, but they are said to have closed by the 1970s as the population dwindled.
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