Aoshima is a Japanese island that is home to hundreds of cats. Cats were originally imported to the islands to deal with mice that were eating the fishing nets post World War II.
There used to be 900 people on the island but now there are only 17 people and the cats have become a tourist attraction.
This ability to live in general harmony with the human population means that Japan is filled with places that have earned the nickname “Nekojima,” or “Cat Island.”
Genkaishima was home to Japan’s largest island-based cat population until the community was hit hard by an earthquake in 2005, although its number of felines is now said to be on the rise once again.
