Tashirojima is a small island in Ishinomaki Bay. Though only about three kilometers in length, it has become famous for its most adorable inhabitants—cats! Today, the island’s feline inhabitants outnumber their human neighbors six to one.

Tashirojima has more to offer in terms of sightseeing than just the cats themselves. Manga Island is a outdoor-recreation area where you can rent a cat-shaped bungalow, pitch a tent, or enjoy a picnic. The island cats are wise to this and gather nearby, waiting for treats. The island also has a cat shrine that was constructed in honor of a cat that died in an accident. Visitors offer cat toys and maneki neko (traditional images of a cat with one paw raised in a beckoning fashion), along with kitty-oriented prayers.

Pleasant walking trails lead through the woods around the island. For those who stay overnight, the island is far enough from Ishinomaki and Sendai to have dark, starry skies. Many of the islanders are engaged in seaweed harvesting or fishing; be sure to greet them with a smile. There is one general store and one cafe, Shima no Eki. As this is an island with few facilities, day-trippers and campers should bring their own food and take their trash home with them.