In the 1950s, Aoshima was a working fishing village in Ehime Prefecture with hundreds of residents and a busy port. Cats were kept to control rats around the drying fish. Then the young people left for the mainland, the fishing industry shrank, and the human population dropped to single digits. The cats never got the memo.
The Reality
Aoshima is genuinely tiny — you can walk around it in about 30 minutes.
There are no shops, no restaurants, no vending machines, and no public toilets (there's one at the port). The permanent human population has dwindled to about 6 elderly residents. What Aoshima does have is approximately 120 cats, roaming freely through the abandoned houses and along the harbor walls, living in a village built for hundreds of people who are never coming back.
Getting There
The ferry from Nagahama Port takes 35 minutes. Here's the critical information: there are only 2 ferries per day — one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The ferry holds about 34 passengers. Arrive early at the port, especially on weekends, as seats are first-come-first-served.
The Experience
When the ferry docks, cats converge on the port. They're used to visitors bringing food and will approach boldly. It's a photographer's dream — cats lounging on fishing boats, perched on stone walls against the ocean backdrop, curling up in abandoned doorways.
Important Notes
- Bring all food and water you'll need (nothing is available)
- Be respectful of the elderly residents
- Don't enter private homes or buildings
- Cat food donations are appreciated
- If the weather is bad, ferries may be cancelled with no alternative
Is It Worth the Effort?
Absolutely — if you're a dedicated cat lover and prepared for the logistics. The remoteness is part of the magic. This isn't a curated tourist experience; it's a real community where cats happen to outnumber humans dramatically. For more details see our Aoshima island guide, or compare options in our cat island planning checklist.
The fishing village that emptied out decades ago is still a village — just one where the residents have four legs and no interest in leaving.