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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / What About Cat Island, Japan?

What About Cat Island, Japan?

March 14, 2011 By: Sparkle Cat45 Comments

Until last week’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan, some of you may have heard about Cat Island but not many of you knew very much about it. You just knew that somewhere off the eastern Japanese coast was a tiny island where humans, most of them elderly, were outnumbered by cats. No dogs were allowed there, and the cats roamed freely and were loved and well cared for by both residents and visitors.

No, they do not drink beer, unless Kirin makes a catnip version.

Cat Island was also right in the area most severely hit by the 8.9 earthquake of March 11 and subsequent tsunami.

Many humans immediately assumed that both the cats and their caretakers were done for. After all, with such massive devastation in the area, how could it be otherwise? Amazingly, it looks like the kitties and humans have made it through! Let me explain how this could be.

Cat Island, or Tashirojima (田代島), is about a four-hour trip northeast of Tokyo, ending in a 40-minute ferry ride from Ishinomaki. It pokes out of the water not unlike my big ears poke out of my head. In other words, in spite of its tiny size (8 square miles in total), Cat Island has a high elevation. The 100 or so residents (83% of whom are over 65) understand the vulnerability of their location all too well, and they would have immediately headed for the highest ground of the island. And the cats? Do you think we are dumb? I’m sure those kitties were beating those humans up the hill! Few cats want to get wet, and we are far faster than elderly humans, even ones as resilient as those who inhabit Cat Island.

Trust me, this cat would know to go uphill in a tsunami.

And it looks like that is exactly what happened. Love Meow reports that a resident of Tokyo whose parents live on Tashirojima managed to find out that his folks are okay, even though the island itself moved about 30 centimeters downward (about one foot) and there was much damage. It may take awhile before we find out exactly how well Cat Island made it through this disaster — cell phone signals can be spotty, especially away from the ports, in normal times. And chances are a lot of the cute cat lodges and cat shrines that charmed travelers are history. Emergency supplies will likely have to be brought in by helicopter and this may even be happening already.

So while we are waiting for more news (hopefully good) from Cat Island, here are a few facts:

  • Many, many years ago, the residents raised silkworms and made silk. The cats won these humans over with their mousing skills (believe it or not, mice are predators to silkworms!).
  • The cats went on to charm the fishermen too. Free fish for life!
  • There are no schools there (logical, since the majority of residents are cats or seniors).
  • There are no gas stations either. The island gets fuel deliveries every two months.
  • There are no banks.
  • There is (or maybe was) a post office.
  • The highest peak is 96.2 meters, or 315 feet, lending credence to the islanders, both feline and human, finding safety on high ground.
  • There were seven inns on the island. This is the Google translation of the link to one of them.
  • I am not really sure what this website is — even fed through the Google translator, I can’t figure it out. But it looks like fun and it’s where I found out about the highest elevation on the island.

I really hope these kitties made it!

And all the photos you see? Yes, they are all Tashirojima kitties, taken in October, 2010 by Rahen.

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Comments

  1. Snowball and Cheetoes says

    March 25, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now we know where to go to vacation this summer! Pack up your suitcases every kitty! After every thing is all fixed, we’re going to Cat Island! (lol) I can see it now…. 😉

    Reply
  2. Jessica says

    March 18, 2011 at 8:02 am

    Thank you for spreading the awareness about the plight of animals in Japan. I also blogged about it too and hopefully, the animals and pets will get the help they need.

    Reply
  3. Rebecca says

    March 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    That is so hopeful, I blogged about Cat Island too, but I didn’t have as much info as you did, great post thanks for letting us know

    Reply
  4. lin says

    March 15, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    Oh, I hope all those kitties are okay–or they went quickly and didn’t suffer. In this horrible tragedy, sometimes that is all we can hope for–that people didn’t suffer in their final moments.

    I think I’m gonna move to Cat Island when this is all said and done. It sounds glorious!

    Reply
  5. Big Bad Baby Twinkle says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Iyam sending a BIG PHAT hug to all the kittehs and peepul who live on Cat Island!! Iyam happy yoo are SAFE! I hope you get lots of foodies and warm blankies and I wish you well!!
    Purrrrrr.
    Big Bad Baby Twinkle

    Reply
  6. Con Artist Trickster says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:04 am

    I wish everybody could really make it to the higher grounds, humans and cats as well. Especially the humans, since cats (and some animals in general) usually have better instinct about what might hit and be more alert, but humans don’t normally have such gift. So, let’s hope they all do survive and safe.

    Reply
  7. Fin says

    March 14, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Yeah a bright spot!

    Reply
  8. Spitty-the-Kitty says

    March 14, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Oh I really, really hope they are okay! I had never heard of this place before. I am purring really hard for all of Japan, but I’ll make a few extra loud and hope those kitties and older people can hear them.

    Reply
  9. Fraidy Cats says

    March 14, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    We didn’t know about Cat Island until now. We are glad to hear the people and kitties are safe. Our mom wouldn’t mind retiring there either 🙂

    Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, and Hollie

    Reply
  10. BeadedTail says

    March 14, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    We hope everyone on Cat Island are doing okay! We’ve been worried about them after first hearing about them the day the earthquake and tsunami hit.

    Reply
  11. HubbleSpacePaws says

    March 14, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    Thank you for the bright spot in the midst of such sadness, Sparkle!

    Reply
  12. Abby says

    March 14, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    We had heard about Cat Island, and that things seemed better there than other places in Japan. Thank you Sparkle for this excellent post!

    purrin
    xoxox

    Reply
  13. Mr Puddy says

    March 14, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    I’m so happy they are safe ! Thanks Sparkle you made this world so close to us : )

    Reply
  14. Ayla, Iza, and Marley says

    March 14, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    With all the sadness going on, it is good to hear that the Cat Island residents are doing relatively well!

    Reply
  15. mariodacat says

    March 14, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    I had never heard of cat island, until someone tweeted the day after the hurricane wondering about Cat Island. What a lovely place it must be. At least now there is some news that some oomans are okay and some of the kitties too.

    Reply
  16. Mewsings of Garden Cottage Cats says

    March 14, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    This iz a Hopeful post and puuray it iz true,,,,,
    Our pawz are crossed and we Purray Loudly for All Soulz ~

    Reply
  17. Danielle says

    March 14, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    Wow. We didn’t know about Cat Island, but we are sure glad the humans and cats made it!

    Reply
  18. Caren Gittleman says

    March 14, 2011 at 11:47 am

    I hadn’t heart of Cat Island myself and your post was just chock full of info!! (I heard of it obviously after the earthquake but not prior to)……thanks so much for giving all of us the great tutorial!

    Reply
  19. The Poupounette Gang says

    March 14, 2011 at 11:26 am

    Did you see the following, Sparkle?
    http://lovemeow.com/2011/03/good-news-from-cat-island-how-to-help/

    Reply
    • Sparkle says

      March 14, 2011 at 11:37 am

      Not yet – thanks so much for the link!

      Reply
  20. The Island Cats says

    March 14, 2011 at 11:26 am

    We’ve heard the same news, that most of the residents (both 2 legged and 4 legged) on Cat Island are okay even though there is a lot of damage. Being fellow Island Cats, we’re happy to hear this!

    Reply
  21. JB says

    March 14, 2011 at 10:06 am

    WE sure hope all the cats there are ok! We are awaiting more news!
    –JB

    Reply
  22. Pricilla says

    March 14, 2011 at 9:37 am

    It is good they are doing OK. The publicist was remarking to the male person just the other night that in the midst of all the human horror there were all the poor animals who now did not have their humans and would be very scared. Some of them would be hurt and have no one to pet them or help them. She feels very sad for them.

    Reply
  23. Sammy, Andy and Shelly says

    March 14, 2011 at 9:17 am

    Oh, oH, OH!!!!!!! What a marvelous place!!!!!!!!!!! Mama says we could happily live there as she is a few years past 65 and she is the servant of us darlin’ kitties!!!!!!!!!! The only problem is she doesn’t speak Japanese…..:(

    We are so happy that reports are good from “Cat Island”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    xxxxxx

    Reply
  24. jakill says

    March 14, 2011 at 8:52 am

    Thanks for sharing this, Sparkle. It made fascinating reading. Hope everyone there is ok.

    Reply
  25. Cathy Keisha says

    March 14, 2011 at 8:31 am

    Let’s hope they don’t get hit with the nuclear fallout now that they’ve made it this far. This is the first I’ve heard of Cat Island. It did sound dreamy.

    Reply
  26. Cheysuli says

    March 14, 2011 at 8:29 am

    We are so glad to hear that Cat Island is doing okay! And we liked your background on it!

    Reply
  27. Brian says

    March 14, 2011 at 8:27 am

    I sure hope all is well with them, I hate to think otherwise. Paws crossed.

    Reply
  28. CatFromHell says

    March 14, 2011 at 8:26 am

    Dear Sparkle,
    You are are one smart cat! Thank you for telling me about Cat Island! Me is going to follow all of your links! Me is purraying all the kitties and their peoples are OK.
    Kisses
    Nellie

    Reply
  29. The Paw Relations says

    March 14, 2011 at 7:48 am

    We’re purring that all the kitties and humans on that island are safe and well.

    Reply
  30. Toby & Leia says

    March 14, 2011 at 7:17 am

    We’d never heard of this wonderful place, but we are so glad to know that it seems to be doing mostly ok!

    Reply
  31. Hannah and Lucy says

    March 14, 2011 at 6:48 am

    Sparkle – how lovely to hear the news – thank goodness the humans and the cats made their way up to the highest ground – it must have been so frightening for them as the water came surging towards them.
    luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

    Reply
  32. The Poupounette Gang says

    March 14, 2011 at 6:24 am

    Hello Sparkle. That last website you linked to is a general website on visiting Tashiro Island and does not have any earthquake-related updates (some of the Google translation stuff is scary, though…). I have been going through a number of Japanese blogs and it seems that the residents and cats are OK, having moved to high ground in time. There are no official reports yet, though. It’s all coming out in dribs and drabs from individuals.

    #1 of the Poupounette

    Reply
    • Sparkle says

      March 14, 2011 at 10:19 am

      Yay – I was so glad you were able to stop by and enlighten us about that. I was really wondering. I am not surprised about the translation. Whenever my human has seen something she knows about translated into English from another language in Google, it makes her cringe. It is probably just as well they don’t have Cat translations. At least not yet.

      Reply
  33. Raymond and Busby says

    March 14, 2011 at 6:13 am

    Thanks for the update, Sparkle.

    Reply
  34. Fuzzy Tales says

    March 14, 2011 at 5:35 am

    We hope everyone is okay, this is a hopeful post, Sparkle, thank you!

    Reply
  35. Max the Quilt Cat says

    March 14, 2011 at 4:14 am

    Thanks for the update. Glad there is hope…

    pawhugs, Max

    Reply
  36. Marg says

    March 14, 2011 at 3:51 am

    Oh thanks so much for that report Sparkle. I didn’t want to read about it if it had been wiped out. But if there is hope, then that is the best news there could be. That was a wonderful post about Cat Island. Thanks so much.

    Reply
  37. Eric and Flynn says

    March 14, 2011 at 3:20 am

    Thank you for telling us more about Cat Island. That is very good news that they and the people hopefully survived the tsunami.

    Reply
  38. The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie says

    March 14, 2011 at 2:37 am

    We’ve been following Cat Island on FB. We sure hope they are okay. With all the sadness and devastation it would be nice to hear some good news.

    The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie

    Reply
  39. Fisher says

    March 14, 2011 at 2:31 am

    I never heard of cat island either but my human thinks it might be the real heaven. Thanks for spreading the word on this.

    Reply
  40. Karen and Gerard says

    March 14, 2011 at 2:24 am

    Now Cat Island sounds like a place I’d like to retire to! This is the first I’ve heard of it.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Latest from Cat Island, Japan says:
    April 28, 2011 at 12:12 am

    […] Latest from Cat Island, JapanBy Sparkle on April 28, 2011 Because it is such a remote island, it was hard to find out information about Tashirojima — better known to much of the world as Cat Island — after the devastating […]

    Reply
  2. Puss & Boats: Tashirojima, Japan’s Island Of Cats | WebEcoist says:
    April 12, 2011 at 10:02 am

    […] via: Pets Adviser, The Age, Sparkle and Amusing […]

    Reply
  3. Good News About Cat Island « Rocky and Pebbles says:
    March 15, 2011 at 8:49 am

    […] (This video is on Japanese but you can see the cats before the earthquake) LoveMeow.com Update Catster Update Sparkle Cat Update […]

    Reply

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