Are you a cat lover?
If so, there’s a spot near Takamatsu you’ll want to know about: Ogijima, a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea once known nationwide as a “cat island.” In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at Ogijima’s cats — past and present.
By the end, you’ll know exactly where to find the island cats and how to behave around them during your visit.
Ogijima’s Past as a Famous “Cat Island”
Ogijima was once widely known as a “cat island.” It’s said that the island gained nationwide fame for its cats after wildlife photographer Mitsuaki Iwago featured them in his work. At its peak, the island was home to around 140 cats.
Over time, however, the growing cat population and feeding by tourists began to cause real problems for the people living there.
In response, volunteers and local groups carried out a spay/neuter program for the island’s entire cat population in 2016. As a result, the population dropped from around 140 cats to roughly 60 today. The cats that remain now live alongside the island’s residents in a more sustainable balance.
Where to Find the Island Cats Today
You’ll mostly spot Ogijima’s cats around the port and the village streets. On our visit, we found one cat just to the right after stepping off the ferry.
We also spotted several more along the path to Toyotama-hime Shrine and around the shrine grounds. The area near the port has the highest chance of a cat encounter, so it’s worth taking a slow walk around as soon as you arrive.
Yūhi to Neko no Ie: A Cat House Where You Can Meet Them
About a 3-minute walk from Ogijima Port is a free rest house called “Yūhi to Neko no Ie” (Sunset and Cat House). Run by the local group Ogijima Sakura-kai, it displays photos of the island’s cats along with their names and profiles.
Learning a few names and characteristics before you set out makes the search for cats around the island even more fun. It also works well as a rest stop — a good place to catch your breath partway through exploring the island.
Etiquette for Interacting with the Island Cats
Keep these three points in mind when spending time with the cats on Ogijima.
1. Don’t feed them human food
Human food can be harmful to a cat’s health. If you’d like to give them a snack, bring proper cat food instead.
2. Don’t place food directly on the ground
Leaving food directly on the ground raises hygiene concerns. Always use a container, and take any leftovers with you when you leave.
3. Don’t chase a cat that runs away
The island cats are used to people, so many will stay put and let you pet them even while napping — but some will still run off. If that happens, don’t chase after them; just move on to the next cat. Chasing a cat causes it stress and fear.
FAQ
Q. Are there still a lot of cats on Ogijima? A. The population dropped from around 140 at its peak to roughly 60 after the 2016 spay/neuter program, but you can still meet island cats around the port and village streets today.
Q. Where’s the best place to find cats? A. Mainly around the port and the village streets. You may also spot some along the path to Toyotama-hime Shrine.
Q. Is it okay to feed the cats? A. Cat food is fine, but always use a container and take any leftovers with you. Please avoid giving them human food.
Q. What can I do at Yūhi to Neko no Ie? A. It’s a free rest house that introduces the island’s cats through photos. It’s about a 3-minute walk from Ogijima Port, making it an easy and convenient stop during your walk around the island.
Summary
Ogijima was once widely known across Japan as a “cat island.” As the growing cat population began affecting daily life on the island, a spay/neuter program in 2016 brought the numbers down from around 140 to roughly 60.
You’ll mostly find the cats around the port and the village streets. If you’d like to learn more about them, stop by Yūhi to Neko no Ie, about a 3-minute walk from Ogijima Port, where the island’s cats are introduced with photos.
When you visit, remember to feed them proper cat food in a container, take any leftovers with you, and never chase a cat that runs off. Follow these simple rules and enjoy your time with Ogijima’s island cats.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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