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Photos of the playful sleepy life on Japan’s ‘Cat Island,’ where cats outnumber humans 6 to 1
Just off the coast of Japan there is an island called Aoshima, which is also known as “Cat Island.” The tiny fishing village is home to more than 120 cats, which roam around napping, playing, and snagging snacks from residents and tourists. They outnumber humans by over 6 to 1.
The island has become a bit of a tourist destination, though some of the residents don’t seem to mind, as long as it remains peaceful.
“If people coming to the island find the cats healing, then I think it’s a good thing,” 65-year-old fisherman Hidenori Kamimoto told Reuters last year. “I just hope that it’s done in a way that doesn’t become a burden on the people who live here.”
This is what life on Cat Island is like:
Aoshima is a 30-minute ferry ride from the coast, and only has a handful of residents now.
There are, however, over 120 cats, which outnumber humans by more than 6 to 1, according to Reuters.
Tourists have also begun to come to the island to gawk at the cats.
Some of the cats are quite majestic.
Others are intense.
But many are just incredibly cute.
Aoshima is a fishing village, so they inspect the nets.
And chomp down on fish.
They exercise.
And play music.
They guard coolers.
Or sometimes try to steal human things.
They play hide-and-seek.
They rub against things.
And clean themselves.
They make friends.
And rub noses.
They jump around.
They snuggle with other cats.
And snuggle with humans as well.
Sometimes the residents of Aoshima play with them.
But other times they need them to just get out of the way.
But the primary activity for cats on Aoshima is taking naps.
Sometimes they nap with friends.
Or in the foliage.
Or even rolled up in tires.
They can sleep wherever.
Even in places that might look very uncomfortable.
“Who’s there?”
“Okay, maybe I’ll get up.”
“You found my napping spot.”
When they aren’t napping, the cats roam around the island.
They explore over rocks.
Even in precarious places.
They walk around the docks.
And check out the boats.
Sometimes they stare off pensively into the distance.
“What is the meaning of life?”
“But really, what is the meaning of life?”
They often congregate in packs.
Especially when it’s time for a meal.
And when they’re gone, they leave behind little footprints.
Goodbye, for now.
The post Photos of the playful sleepy life on Japan’s ‘Cat Island,’ where cats outnumber humans 6 to 1 appeared first on Business Insider.
