Visiting the Japan Cat Island Once Known as a Cat Paradise🐱 A Peaceful Island Home to 70 Senior Cats

Visiting the Japan Cat Island Once Known as a Cat Paradise🐱 A Peaceful Island Home to 70 Senior Cats

Three islanders and around 70 senior cats. Here’s a glimpse of Aoshima Island today—once called a cat paradise, now quiet and calm. Feel the slow, gentle flow of time with the cats on Aoshima Island. Good morning. I’m at Matsuyama Station in Ehime. Today, I’m heading to Aoshima Island—Japan’s famous cat island. One-way fare is 850 yen. I’m catching the 5:48 train to Uwajima to catch the ferry. Wow, the train! There’s a kappa on it! 😳 And we’re off. The nearest station to Aoshima Island is Iyo-Nagahama station. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there. Gorgeous ocean views! We’ll pass Shimonada Station too. 🚃 We’ve arrived. It’s about a 5-minute walk to the ferry terminal. Hmm? Looks like everyone’s talking about something… Oh no! The ferry’s canceled! 🥹 From November to April, strong winds often cause ferry cancellations. So I’ll switch gears and explore Ozu, a local spot people recommended. 😊 Ozu Castle Garyu Sanso Villa A peaceful villa overlooking the scenic Garyu Gorge. It was such a quiet and calming moment. Now let’s head to tonight’s stay. It’s a guesthouse near Nagahama Port, where the ferry to Aoshima Island departs. Tonight’s room: one night with two meals, 6,500 yen. It has a fridge, washer, and microwave. Bath and toilet were private and in the room. ☺️ For dinner, I went to an izakaya restaurant run by the host’s relatives. Dinner set Everything was delicious. I’ll go to bed early since tomorrow starts early too. 🥱 Good night. Good morning. Time for breakfast. Checking out. One night with two meals: 6,500 yen. I hope the ferry runs today… It’s sailing today! I’m so happy. There are two ferries a day. Tickets are bought onboard. Round-trip fare is 1,400 yen. The ferry holds 34 people. No reservations—first come, first served. Off we go. There are no vending machines or shops on Aoshima Island. Bring food and cat treats with you. 🐱 We’ve arrived. The cats are already here to greet us. Here’s a map of Aoshima Island. Some areas are off-limits now. Hello there. 🐈 This little one is the only pet cat on the island. You’re flopping over? You’re so sweet. Another flopping session here. It’s said that about 70 cats live on Aoshima Island now. Found a pair of best friends. 👀 They’re sticking close together. You two are really close. After I sneezed, they came back to me. Such a thoughtful bond between them. Waiting patiently in the back. Mind if I join you? The islander, the “cat mom,” and volunteers all work together to feed and care for the cats. They’re fed twice a day—morning and evening. The food comes from donations sent from all over Japan. How about a Churu for dessert? All done, thank you! Air-licking—so cute. This kitty got a fish from a local… and made sure no one’s watching… It’s big—kind of hard to carry, huh? You got this! ☺️👋 Another one hiding to eat the fish. 🐟 The cats live freely and peacefully on the island. Hello there. A little greeting 🐱 Most of the cats on Aoshima Island are seniors. All were spayed and neutered 8 years ago. So even the youngest ones are about 8 years old now. Hmm, where did you come from? Hello again 🐱 There’s a shrine on the island too. Thanks for letting me visit today. Wait, it’s the same kitty from before! Looks like she followed me here. That bit of aloof sweetness is so charming. Sounds like someone’s talking nearby. Time for patrol. Great view from up here—you can see the whole island. Seems like another patrol is in order. 🤔 The cats now live calmly and peacefully. Maybe it’s because they’re older now. ☺️ When there were 200 cats, fights were common, they say. What’s over there? Cats have been hanging around here, so I checked… and found their secret base. Want a little treat? Shall we share? Want some? All done, thank you! Where are you heading? I’ll follow and see. Oh, I’ve been spotted. Don’t worry! I am filming photos🙇 😆 Today, a volunteer group and a veterinarian came to the island to check on the cats. This is Paku-san, a kitty with an eye condition. (Vet) “Paku-chan, let’s put some eye drops in, okay?” (Cat mama) “Can you manage, doctor?” The cats were given medication, flea and tick treatment, and even nail trims. After the drops, their tears were gently wiped with tissues. (Cat mama) “Did they get the flea and tick meds too?” (Cat mama) “Ah, time to trim the claws.” The “cat mama,” a local woman in her 70s, takes care of the cats while working as a fisherwoman. She kindly showed me their medical records. (Vet) “I’ve been caring for these cats since 2021, so I’m able to monitor their health over time.” With microchips, each cat’s health info is easy to access at a glance. Thank you so much for letting me film today. The animal markers some cats wear show that they’ve received their medication. You’ve finished your medicine. Good job, little one. Hmm, what’s over that way? It looks like this path leads to an old elementary school. Wow, the cherry blossoms are so beautiful. 🌸 The school was closed down in 1976. The view of the sea between the blossoms is just stunning. I heard I’m allowed to go to the lighthouse from this route, so I’ll give it a try. This tunnel looks like something straight out of a Ghibli film… But it’s a bit scary on my own, so I’ve decided to turn back. Aoshima Island was once a bustling fishing village, but now many homes are vacant or abandoned. Due to safety concerns and to protect residents’ privacy, many areas are off-limits. Visitors can walk along this path that connects the dock and the shrine. The feeding area, the shrine, and around the old elementary school are open to explore. A blue mailbox with a sea turtle design. Hello there. Looks like it’s naptime in a cozy spot. Are you going in there? The cats have their favorite hangout spots all over the island. The breeze feels so nice here. Even inside the boat 😆 Maybe it feels safe, like being in a box. I think it’s time for lunch. I brought Ehime’s famous Pon Juice and some local bread. 🍊 The cats on Aoshima Island have all been spayed or neutered. Visitors are kindly asked to give food only in small amounts, to help manage their diet. 🙇 If you have leftover food, please leave it here—local residents will make sure it’s given properly. Time for an afternoon stroll. I wonder why cats like drinking from outdoor puddles so much. Does it taste good? Flop! Sunbathing looks so nice and relaxing. Ah, I’ve been caught sneaking a photo. My apologies. Allow me to offer my humble service. You’re snuggling up to me… Thank you. So cute. There’s a cat here who looks just like the one from earlier. Hello there! It’s Paku-san, who let me film when he was getting his eye drops. I heard he was hospitalized for a while this year due to illness. I’m so glad he recovered enough to come back. Everyone’s been walking back and forth here since morning. Some of the cats hide or run away when people approach. 🐱 One just came out from a resident’s home. Your moms went that way. Are you looking for them? Walking so neatly along the blue line. Oh, they ran off. You look kind of surprised they ran away 😁 The crew is switching shifts. Sound asleep 😴 It must feel nice with the breeze here. You climbed pretty high! Looks like you want to go over there, but can’t find a way down. On a little stroll. That area is where the island residents live, so many cats head in that direction. Paku-san, someone’s calling you. Is he inviting him to do something? Looks like they’re going to sit together. Hello there. You’re sitting right in the middle, huh? It looks like it’s time for the afternoon welcoming committee. The second ferry has arrived. The cats have started gathering around the port. Some kind volunteers kindly let me take a look at the cats living near the local residents’ homes. She’s the “mama” of the cats who live here on the island. She and her husband have been lovingly caring for the cats here for many years. Behind this door is a special space where cats with disabilities or vision loss can eat safely. Most of the cats live around here and near the shrine. I was given a look at the cats’ little homes. 🏡🐈 Recently, a documentary about Aoshima Island aired on NHK. It mentioned that many of the cats are elderly, and that there may be none left on the island in just a couple more years. I heard the ferry captain brings them treats whenever he comes to Aoshima Island. And the cats definitely know it! They’re calling for Ichigo-chan. Thank you all for today. Take care, Paku-san. I hope you stay well. I have deep respect for the dedication of the island residents and volunteers. I truly hope the cats can live out their days in peace. Thanks for watching to the end.

#cat #catisland #catlover

⭐️Please subscribe to our channel!
https://www.youtube.com/@animamille

This time, I visited Aoshima Island — a small island in Ehime Prefecture, lovingly known as “Cat Island.” For over ten years, it has been known around the world as a peaceful paradise where cats live freely and happily.
At its peak, nearly 200 cats roamed the island, living life at their own pace.About eight years ago, all the cats were spayed and neutered, and now around 70 remain. Most of them are now senior cats, and the island is filled with a calm, gentle atmosphere. Some cats need a bit of extra care — whether it’s their health or their meals —
but they are lovingly watched over by the island’s caretakers, local “cat moms,” and volunteers, along with visiting veterinarians. By chance, the day I visited happened to be one of those days when volunteers and vets were on the island, so I was able to quietly capture the cats’ lives as they are today. Please enjoy the peaceful present-day atmosphere of this island once called a “cat paradise.”🐱🐱

📍Aoshima Island | 青島
🔸Address
Aoshima Island, Nagahama-cho, Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture
🔸Map
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3i95GBwUVyVmo3xi9

🐈 Chapter 🐈‍⬛
00:00 Opening
00:26 Matsuyama Station
01:40 Iyonagahama Station
01:50 Ferry Cancelled
02:20 Ozu Sightseeing
02:58 Today’s Inn
03:40 Dinner
04:01 Breakfast
04:22 To Nagahama Port
05:20 Landing in Aoshima
06:50 Two cats who are good friends
08:45 Breakfast of cats
10:17 Cats spending free time on the island
11:15 Go to the shrine with the cat
13:29 Cat’s secret base
14:10 Give cats cat treats.
16:08 People who take care of cats
17:56 Cats spending free time on the island
18:58 Former elementary school site and cherry blossoms in full bloom
20:25 Rules in Aoshima
21:17 Cats’ favorite place
23:12 Lunch Time
23:30 Caution when feeding cats
23:48 Afternoon walk
33:30 Quiet and Peaceful, Aoshima Now
36:23 Time to say goodbye

🐈 More Animal Videos 🐇
8 Cats Welcomed Me to This Secret Guesthouse in Japan 🐱✨| Nostalgic Ryokan with Cats. | Nekotamaru.

Stayed at Japanese Style Cat Hotel🐈🐱🥰 | Nostalgic Onsen Ryokan with Cats. | Shichirigawa Onsen.

I visited Japan’s most famous cat island 🐈🐈 Miyagi Tashiro Island. (Tashirojima)

Staying at a Japanese Hotel… Where an Akita Dog Lives! 🏯🐕 Two fluffy Akita dogs. 縁Enishi.

Staying at a Japanese Hotel with Cats Roaming Free.🐈😻 Healing time with cute cats. Pension Atca.

Four Baby Capybaras Born in Japan! A Heartwarming Animal Adventure.🐰🐐🐑 Goats, Rabbits, guinea pig.
https://youtu.be/MqbjKsMJWTs

“Tokyo’s Top-Rated Cat Café🐾 4.9⭐︎ on Google! A Heartwarming Experience with Friendly Rescue Cats.🐱

Cat island in Japan.🐈🐈 Day trip to meet cats on a small island in western Japan.

So cute🐰💕 600 Wild Rabbits! A trip to meet Japan’s rabbit island. Ōkunoshima. ASMR.大久野島

#catvideos #animallover #japantravel #japantrip #japantrip2025 #cats #catofjapan #catvideo #catlovers #catholic #animaltravel #neko