While checking out Japan's Rabbit Island
Imagine my delight and surprise
that nearby they also had
Cat Island!
A Crazy Cat Lady's
Nirvana.
(...there is also a Fox Village..we will get to that in a bit...)
We will begin with
The Cats
Tashirojima is a small island just
off the coast of mainland Japan
Only about 100 people inhabit
Tashirojima
in contrast the cat population
is currently
around
600
The island was once used
in the production of silk
and silkworms
and cats were brought here
to deter the rodent problems.
Though the silk production ended
here...the cats remained
and thrived
Partly because of the Japanese held belief
that feeding stray cats
brings wealth and good fortune
(...since this is primarily a fishing village now...I have
to quietly wonder if the cats maybe started this rumor...)
Anyway,
it does seem to work out
quite well for them.
Unlike Rabbit Island
which tends to be peaceful and quiet.
600 feral cats
can be
noisy
https://youtu.be/5f-6XXgGe6s
Tour
https://youtu.be/rHLLDOyZepY
A Shrine built to/for the cats
is located in the center
of the Island
Still
Paradise to
Cat Lovers
(...and possibly how mice envision hell...)
but wait there is
MORE
Introducing Japan's Fox Village
With not only Red
but the occasional
Black or White Fox
And aren't they gorgeous?
Fox Village is located
in Miyagi Zao
Japan
Unlike Rabbit or Cat Island
this is more
of a planned tourist attraction.
Nearly 200 foxes. Most of which roam free
through the village.
For $10 USD you
can tour the Village
and feed the foxes.
https://youtu.be/92wtDKCtOiU
Tour
I think the best thing
for me on this video was
hearing the groups of foxes.
I had never really considered what
several together interacting
might sound like
(...much cuter than the angry cats..I might add...)
So there we have it
Cat Island
and
Fox Village
(virtually)
Japan
Hope you enjoyed
the
Adventure!