Travel to Japan’s Amazing Cat Island 🐈💕 Ainoshima Island — Healed by 150 Friendly Cats🐈

Travel to Japan’s Amazing Cat Island 🐈💕 Ainoshima Island — Healed by 150 Friendly Cats🐈

I stayed overnight on a small island home to 150 cats — famous all around the world. Two slow days surrounded by adorable cats and the island’s delicious food. Please enjoy the journey till the end. Good morning! I’m on my way to Hakata Station in Fukuoka by Shinkansen. Hakata Station is located in Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu. From here, I’ll take a train and then a ferry to reach the island. It’s about 20 minutes by train to the nearest station. I’ve arrived. From the station, there’s a bus to Shingū Port for just 100 yen one way. But when it’s crowded, you might not make it onto the ferry…
So I decided to take a taxi instead. Oh, is that the port? It took about ten minutes. There were cats waiting at the port too. Look at that chubby belly — so cute. More cats coming from over there. Good morning. I’m heading to Ainoshima Island now. You can buy ferry tickets inside the waiting room. There are six boats a day. Tickets are sold from a vending machine. One way costs 480 yen. The bus just arrived, and lots of people got off. Let’s head to the ferry terminal. Oh, there’s a cat here too. Enjoying a little sunbath. Boarding priority goes to the island residents. This ferry leaves at 9:20 a.m. Capacity is 150 passengers — or 80 in rough weather. It’s a weekday, but still quite a crowd. The seats on the upper deck were almost full. Here we go! Can’t wait. The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes. Ainoshima Island is coming into view. It’s really windy and rough today. I’m feeling a little seasick. We made it safely. Landed! Now that the crowd has cleared, I’ll say hello to the cats at the pier. Hi there.🐈 Thanks for having me today. You’re so friendly. Can I hold you? Thank you. Let me give you a little massage in return. Head and bottom massage — at the same time. That’s quite the luxury plan. So cute. Here’s a little treat — a Churu ball for you. Is it okay? Looks like they enjoyed it. Oh, suddenly a pair of tuxedo cats appeared beside me. Hi there. Would you like some Churu too? I can see an orange tabby deep inside the shrine. Excuse me for entering. He’s staring at me with sharp, watchful eyes. 🐱😊 A black cat joined in — and the parade began. What a cute, perfectly chubby body. It feels like they’re inviting me to follow. And their goal seems to be… A massage session. Both of them just rolled over — too adorable. That fluffy belly feels so nice to touch. Thanks for waiting. You’re such a lovely ball of fluff. Do you like belly rubs? So cute. Ainoshima Island is a small island about six kilometers around. Around 200 people live here, and about 150 cats call it home. Feeding the cats is allowed, as long as you follow the rules. Details are posted near the ferry terminal. You can only feed them cat food — no bread, rice balls, or fish cakes. Please do not place food directly on the road or walls. Use a paper plate or container when feeding the cats. This is also a place where local residents live, so it’s important to be considerate of their daily life. The island cats are cared for by local people and the “Ainoshima Cat Association.” They’ve set up about twelve feeding stations across the island, where cats can rest, and receive food and fresh water every morning and evening. A veterinarian also visits once a month to check on the cats’ health. If you walk while looking carefully around, you’ll always find a cat somewhere. Some are just sound asleep in the alleys. And when you start taking photos, cats appear from everywhere. You really like butt rubs, huh? Those birds flying above are black kites — “tonbi” in Japanese. Hello there. The cats on Ainoshima Island often come to greet you from far away. And they’re all so friendly. This one’s napping in the grass. This one also came all the way over to say hello. I wonder if they’re thinking the same thing about me. Hello there. What a beautiful tail you have. You’re so cute… I couldn’t take my eyes off you. That tail is just too cool. Thank you for spending time with me. Next, a calico cat. 🐱😊 Everyone here really loves massages. Before I knew it, more and more cats had gathered around me. Is the pressure just right? Oh, you wanted a treat, didn’t you? This spot catches the breeze, so it’s a favorite hangout for the cats. Several have little marks on their noses. Maybe they’re related to Ink-kun, the boss cat with the ink nose from another area. Ainoshima Island is a quiet place that has long thrived on fishing. It’s said that fishermen once kept cats to chase away mice, and that’s how the island became home to so many cats today. Billy-kun. The island’s elementary school. Hello, Rose-chan. What a beautiful kinked tail you have. Many of the island cats have lovely names given by locals. From the Heian period to the Edo period, Ainoshima Island prospered
as a stopover for ships crossing the Genkai Sea. It also has ancient burial sites from about 1,500 years ago, so I came to take a look. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the ferry terminal. The “Ainoshima Stone Burial Mounds,” a nationally designated historic site. Stone tombs with an ocean view — it felt like stepping into another world. Oh, a cat. When I raised my camera… This little one kindly stopped right in front of me, as if posing for the camera. Maybe something here caught their curiosity. It’s pretty warm for autumn, isn’t it? You really love being petted. When it gets too hot, they rest in the shade. This cat seems to have found something. What are you playing with? It looks like a piece of styrofoam with a salty sea smell. It doesn’t seem like this cat is trying to eat it, so I’ll just watch for a while. Carefully guarding it so no other cats can take it… Then having a little nibble of grass to cleanse the palate. Why on top of that rock, I wonder? Ah, lying down there feels just right. This cat is fast asleep on a little cart bed. I heard this is their favorite napping spot. It’s lunchtime now. After walking so much, I’m getting hungry. In this building, there’s a tourist center, a seafood restaurant, and a burger shop. Please keep the door closed so cats don’t sneak in. Maruyama Shokudo. They serve fresh seafood caught right here on the island. Set meals, seafood champon noodles, and today’s fish special. Sashimi set meal — 2,000 yen. A generous variety of sashimi, all incredibly fresh. 😋 A heart-shaped croquette. It was filled with minced fish and tasted amazing. I found a sign for a “Cat Lunch Set.” It includes cat food, Churu, a wet wipe, spoon, paper plate, and toy rental. You can buy it at the burger shop on the second floor. Of the 550 yen price, 100 yen is donated to the cats of Ainoshima Island. I picked out a treat and a toy, and borrowed a little case. From the 1,000 yen I paid, I donated 450 yen to the island cats. There are several cat spots around the island. It’s been a while since I met a cat who doesn’t tuck in their paws. So cute. While I was setting up the treats… Did you come for some? The tabby brothers joined too. Hang on just a second. Feeding time is taken in turns. Everyone’s eating so nicely together. You’ve got a little treat on your nose. Looks like we’re running low on food. After eating, let’s get some exercise with a toy. Let’s play together. Over here too. Looks like this cat got tired of the toy… oh, seems they’ve found a new target. The ocean view on this side is beautiful too. While I was taking a little break… This cat came over to comfort me. Kneading the ground so sweetly — it’s just too cute. Before I knew it, on my left… at my feet… and on my right, I was surrounded by everyone. Their soft, round bodies and the way they flopped over were just adorable. I returned the trash from the treats and toys. When you return the snack wrappers, you get 100 yen back. I donated that too. Then I returned the toy, and bought a hamburger for dinner before heading back. The shop also sells some cute cat goods. I bought a coffee and a cocoa. Time to check in to my inn. Check-in starts from 3 p.m. Marumiya Ryokan. Room only, 3,500 yen per night. Towels, toothbrush, Wi-Fi, fridge, and electric kettle are provided. (No yukata.) It’s the only ryokan remaining on the island. Right in front of it is the fishing port. I came here today with my family. Towels and toothbrushes are provided. The toilet and bath are shared. Let’s go for an evening walk. Everyone seems to love these carts. It’s really windy today, but some cats don’t seem to mind at all. As evening comes, the air feels a little cooler. At night, I joined the cats for their dinner time. They’re waiting patiently inside the feeding hut. The morning and evening meals and fresh water are kindly prepared by a local couple from the Ainoshima Cat Association. Dinner’s here, everyone. 🐱 After finishing his work, the husband drives around the island in his small truck each evening. They go through about 350 kilograms of dry food every month. Look, the gentleman just served dinner for the cats. 😊 After that, I went with his wife by bicycle to check on the cats around the island. Cats that are weak or ill receive special therapeutic food individually. I truly admire the people who dedicate themselves to caring for these island cats. A paw print logo. The hamburger was huge and absolutely delicious. The fries turned out to be onion rings. At night, both the kites and the cats disappear, leaving only the sound of the quiet sea. It was such a wonderful day. Good night. Good morning. The fishermen head out to sea early in the morning. I had the rice balls I bought at a convenience store before coming to the island, then went out for a morning walk. Most of the cats are still sleeping. One is curled up inside a fisherman’s net. Another one is resting among the dried grass. The first ferry of the day leaves at 7 a.m. Oh, did you sneak into the waiting room? A local resident came and kindly opened the door. The morning sun feels so nice. Good morning. Maybe this is Cocoa-chan. A fisherman chuckled when he saw me getting along with the cats. Starting the morning with a bit of greens, huh? That dignified look — this must be the same cat I met at the shrine yesterday. Making the morning rounds… Yes, it’s the same one from the shrine. Good morning. The black kite looks so powerful up close. At the ferry dock, a cat is waiting. Maybe it’s their job to see off the first boat of the day. The fishermen are setting out too. Good morning. Looks like this cat wants to sit on my lap. I wonder if hiding the face like that feels comforting for this cat. Feels so nice, doesn’t it? With the sound of the waves and few people around, I truly enjoyed the quiet morning on Ainoshima Island. This morning, I joined again to see the cats during feeding time. Ryu-kun. Watch out for the black kites. Around here, they swoop down. Ryu-kun hides in the shade of the rocks to eat safely. His special move is “air kneading.” Sometimes he even falls asleep like this. Still kneading away in his dreams. Now it’s time to head to the next spot. Gaa-kun and Ushi-kun. They like to stay together even though they always end up fighting. Ushi-kun seems to have hurt his shoulder and was at the hospital until yesterday. Maybe the one crying on the ferry was Ushi-kun. Gaa-kun is a bit of a jealous sweetheart—he gets upset when Ushi-kun gets all the attention. That big round face is just too cute. 😳 See you again, Gaa-kun! Thank you. The temple cats. Four years ago, most of the island’s cats underwent spay and neuter surgeries. They now live peacefully on the island, cared for and watched over for the rest of their lives. After checking out of the inn and heading toward the ferry terminal, I met an incredible cat. A nekomata — a mythical cat said to have two tails. I’m so happy to have met such a being on this peaceful island. Please live a long, happy life. 🐱 Even in this strong wind, one cat climbed up onto the breakwater. Still welcoming the many visitors who come to the island. It’s time to say goodbye. Thank you for letting me hold you so many times. 🤭 Bye-bye. A last cuddle before saying goodbye. Stay well, okay? I’ll come visit again. I bought my ticket at the waiting area. A cat came to see me off. Thank you, everyone. 🐱🐱 Thank you so much for watching till the end. See you in the next video. 🐱

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📍Ainoshima Island / 相島
🔸Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WfYP1GuM6MCpKwhM8
🔸Address: Ainoshima Island, Shingu-machi, Kasuya District, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

🔸Ainoshima Cat Association / Ainoshima-neko-no-kai
https://www.instagram.com/ainoshimanekonokai/
https://www.facebook.com/ainoshimanekonokai/

Just off the coast of Fukuoka lies Ainoshima — a small island often called one of Japan’s “Top 5 Cat Spots.” 🐾
Around 150 cats live peacefully on this quiet island. With their round faces and gentle eyes,
they wander freely through the harbor and narrow lanes, completely at ease with island life.
Even from afar, some would spot us and come over just to say hello — friendly and full of curiosity. 🐈
Each morning and evening, locals gather at a place lovingly called the “Cat Cafeteria”
to feed the island’s residents. We were lucky to join them and watch the peaceful mealtime together.
During our one-night stay, we were surrounded by calm seas, soft breezes, and the warmth of kind-hearted cats. It was a trip that gently quieted the mind. 🌿

🐈 Chapters 🐈
00:00 Opening
00:22 Hakata Station
00:49 Train Ride
01:31 Ferry Terminal & Island Cats
03:06 Boarding the Ferry
03:57 Arrival at Ainoshima Island
04:05 Spending Time with Friendly Cats
07:13 Island Rules & About the Cats
11:34 Cats Relaxing All Around the Island
17:21 Lunchtime
18:05 Afternoon Walk
22:46 Buying Dinner & Check-in
23:46 Evening Walk / Cats’ Dinner Time
25:26 Dinner
25:56 Good Night
26:12 Day 2
34:30 Ferry Back Home

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