Cat islands are a soothing spot that cat lovers will love! Fukuoka has many cat islands that you'll want to visit at least once. Here are five of the best.
Ainoshima
Ainoshima, also known as Cat Island, is a popular cat island that has gained popularity both in Japan and overseas. Located 7.5 km off the coast of Shingu Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, Ainoshima is a small, heart-shaped island with no sandy beaches. Most of the coastline is made up of steep basalt cliffs. The road around the island is approximately 6 km long. Ainoshima is home to approximately 320 residents and has a rich history, even appearing in the Nihon Shoki and Manyoshu. As the fishing industry developed on Ainoshima, rats that damaged fishing gear became a problem. Cats were raised on the island to eradicate the rats. It is said that there are over 150 cats on Ainoshima, and the area near the island's entrance and ferry waiting room are the best cat spots. The view of the sea and cats is sure to be soothing!
Address: 811-0118, Oaza Ainoshima, Shingu Town, Kasuya District, Fukuoka Prefecture. Access: Ainoshima is located in Shingu City, within the Fukuoka City commuter prefecture, and is easily accessible. It takes 17 minutes (460 yen one way) by ferry "Shingu" from Shingu Port (Shingu Fishing Port). The distance is 7.5 km, so even those who are worried about seasickness should be able to bear it.
Genkai Island
Genkaijima, an island in Nishi Ward, Fukuoka Prefecture, is also famous as "Cat Island." It's a naturally rich island, boasting delicious seafood and easy access from Fukuoka City. Surrounded by the ocean, Genkaijima is also known as one of Fukuoka City's top fishing spots, where you can see cats waiting for fishermen's scraps. Many visitors to Genkaijima are drawn to its cats, but unfortunately, the cat population has declined significantly since the 2005 Fukuoka Prefecture West Offshore Earthquake, and the island's businesses are still in the process of recovery. However, there are still approximately 80 cats, and they are the first to greet visitors upon arrival. Supported by cats and cat lovers, Genkaijima continues to present itself as a wonderful cat island.
Access: Regular ferry service to Genkaijima departs from Bayside Place
Hakata Pier, Oaza Genkaijima, Nishi Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 819-0205 . The boat ride takes approximately 35 minutes. If you live in Fukuoka City or are visiting Fukuoka, why not visit Genkaijima?
Oron Island
Oronoshima, pronounced "Oro no Shima," is a relatively small island with a circumference of approximately 3.5 km. Its distinctive gourd-like shape when viewed from above is a striking feature. Fishing is a thriving industry on Oronoshima, with a population of approximately 200 people. The island boasts exceptionally clear waters and is said to be one of the most beautiful in the prefecture. With over 100 cats, it's a paradise for cat lovers. You can spot them near the port. Why not enjoy the sight of these cats living in their natural habitat?
Access: Fukuoka City Ferry's high-speed ferry, the New Oronoshima, operates one or two trips daily from Meinohama Ferry Terminal, Nishi- ku , Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 819-0011. The 65-minute journey carries 60 passengers.
horse island
While cat islands have been gaining attention from cat lovers lately, there is one hidden island among them: Umajima. Unlike the other islands mentioned above, Umajima is closely connected to the lives of local people. As a result, the landscape is tranquil, with a vast expanse of ocean below and an industrial area beyond. Umajima's population is a mere 35 people. It's estimated that the number of cats living on the island is twice as high, at 80. Many stray cats are managed by the local community, so they can be seen everywhere. There's every possibility that Umajima will attract tourists in the future. Before that, it might be a good idea to visit this hidden spot. Umajima is located approximately 10 km from JR Kokura Station and 20 minutes from Kokura Port, Oaza
Umajima , Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 802-0092 .
Aishima
Ainoshima Island is one of the remote islands located 12 lm northwest of Kokurakita Ward in the center of Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. With a population of 277, this small island is also popular for fishing, and swimming is also possible in the summer. There are approximately 250 cats, so the chances of encountering a cat are almost equal to that of a local resident! This island is truly a paradise for cat lovers. The cats here are also very friendly and chubby, clearly showing how much they are cherished by the islanders and cat fans. From the dock to the private homes, there are many cats, and you can easily encounter them one after another. Signs indicating feeding spots are posted in front of the homes of helpful residents, so be sure to check them out if you want to feed the island cats.
Address : Oaza Ainoshima, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture 802-0091 . Access: Access to Ainoshima Island is by ferry only, so it's best to check the round-trip ferry times in advance. Passenger boats to Ainoshima operate three times daily from Kokura Ferry via Umajima Island. It takes 20 minutes from Kokura Ferry to Umajima, and 35 minutes from Umajima to Ainoshima, making for a total boat trip of about 55 minutes. The one-way fare is a reasonable 400 yen, so why not give Ainoshima a try?
summary
What did you think? There are so many cats on the remote islands of Fukuoka Prefecture that cat lovers will be overwhelmed. Please be mindful of the local residents and observe etiquette by not feeding cats outside of designated feeding areas. We hope you will enjoy spending time with the cats while observing basic etiquette.
Hakata Canal Neko Masshigura, a Japanese-themed cat goods store in Fukuoka, has a wide selection of cat goods with a Japanese theme. If you stop by Hakata on your way back from visiting Cat Island, why not purchase some as a souvenir for a cat lover?
