Tashiro Island in Sanriku is an island with more cats than islanders. Stepping onto the island will let you see a wide variety of cats. There are several tourist spots on the island that are related to cats. In this article, we will introduce Tashiro Island which is a must-visit for cat lovers.
About Tashiro Island, Sanriku
Tashiro Island can be reached by a 45-minute ride on boat departing from Ishinomaki Station in Miyagi. Cats have been cherished on the island as guardians of ensuring fine hauls. Since there are over 100 cats inhabiting the island, Tashiro Island is sometimes called "nekojima" (cat island). Tourists are prohibited from feeding cats on the island and please obey the rules when visiting the island.
Things to do in Tashiro Island, Sanriku
Cats on Tashiro island
Tourists can see cats on various places on the island such as roads and grasslands. There are spots on the island where cats are frequently seen. The place where cats are mostly seen is the Nitoda area located in the southeastern part of the island. You can see cats in alleys and on eaves of the village. In addition, many cats inhabit the Odomari area located in the northeastern part of the island. As there are fewer tourists in Odomari area compared to Nitoda area, you can look at the cats in a more relaxed way.
Neko Jinja (cat shrine)
Neko Jinja is located in the central part of the island. This shrine was built for people to pray for cats that suffered misfortune. Offerings such as cat figurines are found around the temple. Neko Jinja is a spiritual site for cats.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Neko Jinja (cat shrine)
- Street Address: Tashirohama, Ishinomaki, Miyagi
- Access: About a 30-minute walk from Nitoda; About a 15-minute walk from Odomari.
Manga Island
There is a place on Tashiro Island where manga is put into practical use. It is the manga lodge which is designed by manga artists Chiba Tetsuya and Satonaka Machiko. The lodge is in the shape of a cat. Pictures of cats are also displayed in the lodge.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Manga Island
- Street Address: 24 Shikishima, Tashirohama, Ishinomaki, Miyagi
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from Nitoda
Restaurants in Tashiro Island, Sanriku
Tashirojima Olive Cafe
The food served at the cafe is made from Miyagi's local ingredients, for example, Miyagi's Wagyu beef steak and grilled seafood from Tashiro Island. Lunch pasta, which is a popular menu among tourists, is also available.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Tashirojima Olive Cafe
- Street Address: 89 Nitoda, Tashirohama, Ishinomaki, Miyagi
- Access: a 10-minute walk from Nitoda Port
Hotels in Tashiro Island, Sanriku
Tashiro Island “Petit Resort” Marine Life
You can see the sea from the rooms in the hotel. In addition, there is a feeding-ground for cats in the hotel. Many cats come to the resort for food every day. Guests can watch the cats eating and being carefree.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Tashiro Island “Petit Resort” Marine Life
- Street Address: 38 Nitoda, Tashirohama , Ishinomaki, Miyagi
- Access: a 5-minute walk from Nitoda Port
Access
Go by train from Tokyo
Take the Tohoku Shinkansen at Tokyo Station to head for Sendai Station. Transfer to JR Tohoku Main Line at Sendai Station and get off at Ishinomaki Station. Alternatively, you can take a bus at Sendai Station to go to Ishinomaki.
Take the Miyako Bus at Ishinomaki Station to head to Ishinomaki Port (Arrivals). It takes about 45 minutes by boat departing from the port to Tashiro Island.
Comments