To protect the environment where cats can live safely and to respect the lives of the islanders, it is extremely important for us visitors to know and observe the correct manners and etiquette. This article provides a comprehensive explanation of the 7 essential etiquette rules you must know before visiting and the must-have items to bring, to ensure your trip to a cat island is fun, safe, and memorable for both cats and humans. Please read on to help make your wonderful encounters with cats a reality!

Why are Manners Important When Visiting a Cat Island? [For Both Cats and the Island]

Cat islands are precious places where cats live freely in a near-natural state. Furthermore, on many islands, aging residents carefully watch over the cats as part of their daily lives. Disorderly behavior by tourists can harm the cats’ health, degrade the island’s environment, and even threaten the livelihoods of the islanders. Observing proper manners is essential for the cats to continue living happily and for the islands to remain attractive tourist destinations in the future.

7 Etiquette Rules to Observe When Visiting a Cat Island [Beware of Absolute NO-GOs!]

To have the best time with the cats on a cat island, be sure to follow these 7 etiquette rules:

1. Feeding cats is generally prohibited!

On most cat islands, feeding cats is prohibited in principle. Disorderly feeding by tourists can harm the cats’ health, lead to cats gathering excessively and fighting, and cause droppings to pollute the island’s environment. Even if feeding is permitted on an island, always follow the designated locations and methods. Absolutely do not give any food you brought without permission.

2. Do not force contact with cats! Do not chase or pick them up.

Cats are very delicate creatures. Forcing contact, chasing, or picking them up can cause them stress and may lead to scratches or bites. If a cat approaches you, gently pet it and respect the cat’s pace.

3. Take all your trash home! There are almost no trash cans on the islands.

Most cat islands do not have proper trash disposal facilities. Take everything you bring with you (leftover food, drink containers, snack wrappers, etc.) back home. Absolutely do not discard anything on the island, especially items that cats might accidentally ingest.

4. Do not speak loudly or make noise! Spend time quietly.

Cats are sensitive to loud noises and sudden movements. Also, cat islands are places where island residents live. Do not shout or run around; enjoy the cats and the island’s atmosphere quietly. If you remain quiet, cats may naturally approach you.

5. Do not enter private property or residential areas.

Cats may be relaxing on private property or in gardens, but these are the private spaces of the island residents. Absolutely refrain from entering without permission or peeking into windows. Be especially careful in areas where warning signs are posted.

6. Bringing pets other than cats (especially dogs) is strictly prohibited!

On cat islands, bringing pets other than cats (such as dogs) is strictly prohibited to protect the cat ecosystem and the island’s environment. This is to avoid stress for the cats and to prevent the risk of infectious diseases.

7. Always check boat operation information in advance.

Access to cat islands is solely by ferry. It is not uncommon for services to be canceled due to weather or sea conditions. Always check the latest operation information on the official website of the ferry company for the cat island you plan to visit before departing. This is especially important during winter and typhoon seasons.

Essential Packing List for Visiting a Cat Island [For a Comfortable Trip]

Cat islands, unlike typical tourist destinations, often have very limited restaurants and shops. To enjoy your cat island visit comfortably, we strongly recommend preparing the following items:

https://jatrabridge.com/2025/04/19/13216/complete-guide-japans-5-must-visit-cat-islands-thorough-comparison-of-access-cat-population-and-precautions/

Happy Cats, Happy People! Have a Memorable Cat Island Trip!

Japan’s cat islands are very special places, protected by the cats that live there and the island residents. By each visitor observing etiquette and preparing thoroughly, their stay on a cat island will become even more enjoyable and heartwarming.

We hope this article serves as a reference for your cat island visit and helps you have wonderful encounters with cats and create unforgettable memories. For the sake of the cats, the island, and your own trip, let’s enjoy responsible cat island tourism!

It is the cat island that I’d been wanting to visit.

I found out that there were guest houses on the island, and it was possible to make a reservation, so I decided to go for two days and one night.

How to get to Iwaishima Island

You can cross to Iwaishima Island by boat from Yanai Port in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

If you’re going by car, you can also drive to Murotsu, the station on the way to the boat, and get on the boat from Murotsu.

There are two benefits: you can enjoy the scenery of the peninsula while driving around, and the boat fare is cheaper.

I boarded the boat from Murotsu this time.

It was allowed to park cars in the parking lot near the roadside station.

It seems that there are also places to park near Yanai Port.

The ship is a route of Yanai Port -> Murotsu -> three other ports of call to Iukaishima, and the time of travel from Yanai Port to Iukaishima. is about 1 hour and 10 minutes away. It is about 45 minutes from Murozu.
The ship’s timetable was below as of May 2018. Please check the website for details.

Timetable (Going To Iwaishima)

■Morning Sea freight

9:30 departure from Yanai Port→10:00 Murozu→10:40 arrival at Iukaishima

Fare: 1,580 yen(The fare from Murotsu is 920 yen)

■Afternoon Sea freight

15:45 departure from Yanai Port→16:15 Murozu→16:55 arrival at Iukaishima

There is an early morning Sea freight from Murotsu directly to Iwaijima, leaving at 6:10 a.m. (Iwaijima 6:38 a.m.)

Timetable (Returning To Yanai port)

■Morning service

6:45 departure from Iwaijima→7:25 Murozu→7:55 Yanai Port

Fare is the same as above

■Afternoon Sea freight

12:30 departure from Iwaijima→13:10 Murozu→13:40 arrival at Yanai Port

■Evening Sea freight

17:05 Iwaishima→17:45 Murotsu
(The evening freight stops at Murotsu.)

You can go on a morning sea freight and come back on an evening sea freight for a day trip.

At Murotsu Port

It’s Golden Week, but I arrived at Murotsu Port earlier than planned because the highway was free.

Old houses are lined up in the narrow alleys unique to the port town.

As expected, there is a cat.
A very friendly cat.

She is a little shy brownish white.

A brown tiger is sleeping all the time.

A cat-covered state as if I’m on the cat island.

Time passed in the blink of an eye, so it was time to get on the boat.

There is a ticket office like a shed, so you may not recognize it unless people are in line.

The picture below shows the boarding area of the Murotsu boat.

The boat is quite big, so I was a little relieved to see it.

Arrived Iwaishima and Stayed Kunihiro Guest House

I boarded the packed boat and arrived at Iwaishima within 30 minutes.

I was expecting to see a cat waiting for passengers near the harbor like other cat islands, but there was no sign of it.

On the way to the guest house, I met a cat.

This is my first cat on Iwaishima.

After that, I met some cats, but they were all cautious.

When I arrived at the guest house, I had a very nice encounter.

A cat pictured below, was in front of the guest house.

And he was very friendly! (The picture is a yawn, not angry.)

This time I was stayed “Minshuku Kunihiro“.

It was run by a nice couple and I felt very happy.

The meals were full of fish.

It was 7,000 yen for one night with two meals.

I walked around the island a lot, but it wasn’t like full of cats.

So I’d like to introduce some pictures of cats and kittens near the breakwater of Iwaishima Island

Cats on the Beach

A three minute walk from the harbor where the liner arrives is the cat density area of east Iwaishima.

The photo is in the evening.

Cats gathered at the breakwater.

The cats in this area are accustomed to people, and they din’t run away even if you point a camera at them.

Cats on the back of the breakwater.

I saw between the tetrapods.

They look nice in the sea breeze.

Time to Leave Iwaishima Island

I got on the boat at 12:30 for the return trip, so this trip will be over after the morning walk.

I couldn’t take any pictures of the scene I had in mind, but I could meet some friendly cats.

Compared to Sanagijima Island and Manabeshima, where I’ve been, the cat density on Iwaishima Island was a little lower…

Also, with the exception of certain areas, there were many wary cats, which left me with the impression that it was somewhat difficult to photograph them.

For the last part of the trip, I went to the friendly cats!

This is a cat I met on the first day at the guest house.

He came to meet me while I was taking my morning walk.

He’s rolling around and is happy to see me again?

The cats on the beach in the morning are like this in the daytime.

They don’t seem to be alert.

They were sleeping.

I left the island, feeling the cats’ eyes on me, just as I did when I arrived.

That’s the story of my cat trip to Iwaishima Island.

https://jatrabridge.com/2025/04/13/13340/read-before-you-go-7-essential-etiquette-rules-and-must-haves-for-visiting-a-japanese-cat-island-complete-guide/

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/13/5571/

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/11/5569/

This island is also known for its many cats.

It is also famous for being used as a filming location for movies.

I introduced the access to Sanagijima Island from Tadotsu Port on Shikoku, but to get to Manabeshima Island, it’s convenient to take a boat from Kasaoka Port in Okayama Prefecture.

The island is here.

There is also a parking lot at the Port of Kasaoka in Okayama Prefecture.

I don’t remember how much it costs.

It’s either free or 1000 yen per day.

Check the boat schedule and fare here.

Access and Time Table of Boat

Here is time tables of Manabeshima Island

Kasaoka port ⇒ Manabeshima Island

Manabeshima Island ⇒ Kasaoka port 

You can visit Sanagijima Island too.

Check here for more information.

Good Cat Density

Manabeshima Island has quite a high cat density.

There are cats all over the town, the harbor, the seashore, and everywhere, so you can take pictures of them in various scenes.

I found a cat on the roof.

I could feel the presence of the cats.

Parent and a child sleeping proudly on the side of the road too.

It’s a unique scene on Cat Island.

I went to the peak of the birth in June, so there was also scene like this.

Welcomed by Many of Cats at Motoura

There are two villages in Manabeshima Island.

The one with the highest population and cat density is Motoura, and the slightly smaller one is Iwatsubo.

As I introduced above, there are two types of boats from Kasaoka to Manabe: high speed boats and ordinary boats, and ordinary boats offer direct access to Iwatsubo.

It takes about 20 minutes to get to Iwatsubo on foot from Motoura.

This time I decided to go around the two villages because I had time to spare.

From Motoura first.

When I got off the fast boat, I saw cats…

Further across the pier, cats everywhere!

A woman with a convenience store bag was surrounded by cats, apparently thinking that tourists with bags will feed them.

According to the islanders.

Cats don’t come to us islanders. They only come to those who feed.

Amazing Sashimi Set Meal

It was close to noon I entered the restaurant “Funade“, which was the only one? on the island.

There are normal menu such as curry udon noodles for a few hundred yen, but since I was here, I had a sashimi set meal!

I heard a rumor that the food was fresh and delicious, so I had high expectations.

Okoze, octopus and abalone.

The okoze and the octopus are still moving!

In addition to this sashimi, rice, salad, mini-o-den, tempura and fish soup is included in the price of 2,000 yen.

There are two to three servings of sashimi.

Cheap and delicious, it’s a maximum charge for both mind and body.

Cats near Motoura Port

After I had a full stomach, I took pictures of the cats around the Motoura area.

There is another shop near the restaurant “Funade”.

Cats looking into the fish tank there.

Fish are swimming in the net, but they can’t seem to catch them.

A cat on the bench in front of the store.

They look like cats with hay fever.

There are many benches on Manabe Island, but I got the impression that more cats are using them than people.

Eventually the cats will take over the benches.

Lots of cats near the harbor, too.

A good friend of the cat is taking a walk.

They move together, sometimes expressing affection.

In the morning, I could interact with many cats in the mild spring weather at Motoura.

Cats on the Beach

Well, speaking of Cat Island, the sea and cats.

I’ve taken some of those scenes again.

The area under the boat by the sea is a summer resort for cats.

It’s a summer resort for cats, and it’s one of the places where many cats gather.

Speaking of summer resort, here’s a group of cats under a table on the beach…

Manabeshima’s scenery and An Impression of Cats

I introduced cat island, Manabeshima this time, but when I was sorting through the photos, I thought, “there were more towns than the ocean“.

If you want to take a picture with a cat in the town’s landscape, I can highly recommend.

By the way, I also stopped in Onomichi, Hiroshima on my way back from Manabeshima to look for cats, but there were quite a few fewer cats!

Onomichi was also introduced as a place where you can often see cats, so please refer to it.

https://jatrabridge.com/2025/04/13/13340/read-before-you-go-7-essential-etiquette-rules-and-must-haves-for-visiting-a-japanese-cat-island-complete-guide/

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/11/5569/

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/04/5517/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/07/1792/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/06/1770/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/04/1857/

I love cats.

I always think how happy I would be if I could live surrounded by cats.

There are many islands where people live like that.

The most famous one is Sanagijima Island in Kagawa Prefecture.

Famous for Flying(Jumping) Cats, a Representative of Cat Island

Many cat lovers may already know about it…

Sanagijima Island is a very famous spot on Shikoku where you can take pictures of flying cats.

There are many references on the internet, and the cat density is quite high.

Access to Sanagijima Island

You can get to the island by boat from Tadotsu Port in Kagawa Prefecture.

There is a free parking space at Tadotsu Port, so you won’t have to worry about parking.

There are not many ferry services, so be careful.

Here is time table as of June 2020.

From Tadotsu to Sanagi Island.

From Sanagi Island to Tadotsu.

The ride time is about 50 minutes and the fare is 680 yen for one way.

I recommend leaving Tadotsu at 9:05am and returning at 14:50 or 15:25 for cat photography.

If it’s hot in the summer, I strongly recommend leaving at 6:55am.

Time and fares are subject to change, so please check Official web site.

It seems that it is possible to get there by boat from the Kasaoka side of Okayama City, not the Shikoku side.

I’ve never been to Sanagi from the Okayama side, so I can’t tell you how to get there…

Density of Cats is Just as Rumored, a Real Cat Island

A chair with a statue of a cat in the waiting area of the boat just off the ship.

A cat underneath it!

A good start.

It’s indeed the famous Cat Island.

After that, the cats appear one by one.

The town is a maze of narrow alleys, and there are cats on the side of the road.

The combination of alleyways and cats is also picturesque.

When I visited Sanagijima Island in June, it was the season for cats to give birth, and I also met this scene.

Sea + Cat, the best part of Cat Island

Since I came to Cat Island, I thought it would be a good idea to take pictures of the ocean and a cat.

Cats on the island are not afraid of the water.

They don’t mind walking around on the beach.

First of all, I snapped a picture of a tiger cat on the beach.

These are cats who are walking along the breakwater.

That’s right!

This breakwater is the jumping board for the cats.

Flying Cats

It’s time for the real flying cat scene.

Here it comes!

This is a picture of a flying cat.

It’s a beautiful picture of a flying cat.

The white cat behind me is a nice touch.

This one also has a pretty good jumping power.

It’s quite beautiful to see a cat flying.

I also tried to get an angle from below.

However, there are a few things to consider when taking a picture of a flying cat, so I’ll summarize them here.

I highly recommend this spot!

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/04/5517/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/07/1792/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/06/1770/

I’ve been wanting to go to this island for a long time, as it was featured in  photo book of cats in the past!

I went to Cat Island over the 10-day Golden Week Holidays.

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/12/03/3465/

Access to Sakushima Island

 Sakushima is a remote island located in Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture, and can be reached by boat from Isshiki Port in Nishio City.

The address of Isshiki Port is 176 Koyubunen Koto, Isshiki-cho, Nishio City.

Isshiki Port is close to the Fish Morning Market, and free parking is available in front of the market (You don’t have to use the morning market).

Next to the morning market is a fish and shellfish shopping and restaurant.

There is a “Isshiki Sakana Hiroba“, which seems to be quite busy on weekends.

There are seven ferry services a day, the earliest one leaving at 6:30 and arriving at Sakushima (East Port) at 7:00.

Here is the timetable of ferry and bus which I translated from Japanese site.

The boat seems to have a capacity of more than 100 people, so it doesn’t seem to be over capacity on a normal weekend.

However, I heard that it might be crowded during Golden Week holidays.

In fact, the boat was over capacity when I visited.

When that happens, there will be increase in the number of boats on the island.

Those who cross to the island by bus or train need to be careful (it’s a good idea to line up at the port a little early).

There are two boat docks on the island, West Port and East Port.

You can encounter cats in the villages around both ports.

It takes about 20 minutes to get from West Port to East Port on foot, and about 10 minutes by rented bicycle.

Cats around East Port of Sakushima

Since I stayed at a guest house in East Port, I got off at East Port (the last stop was East Port) and started to explore.

It was very windy, so I walked but couldn’t find the cat for the first hour or so.

After collecting information from the people of the island, I found that the cats on Sakushima seem to gather in a specific house.

In Sanagi Island(in Kagawa) and Manabe Island(in Okayama), if you stroll around the island, you’ll see many cats, but on Sakushima Island, things are a little different.

There are cats on the island, but you’ll almost always see them in yards where residents live.

They are quite close to their own cats.

It seems there are a lot of cases where they are being fed in the yard as shown in the picture.

A resident said:

I don’t have a cat, but the cats took up residence on their own while I was feeding them

I managed to get permission from the house where the cat is staying to start taking photos.

I couldn’t take pictures of the cats staying in the garden, so I took pictures of the cat playing in the garden quietly from a distance.

I was keenly aware of how lucky I was to have brought my telephoto lens.

Many of the houses have beautiful flowers growing in them, so you can take lots of pictures of flowers and cats.

There were still some small cats playing around, and I got some great shots of them.

One of the cats, who appeared in “The Island of Cats,” posed for a picture.

I heard that this cat was walking on his owner’s shoulder.

I took a picture of cat actually getting on the owner.

Foods and Guest Houses in East Port

I got the impression that there are a lot of guest houses and restaurants in Higashiko(East Port).

The sashimi set meal I had for lunch was freshly caught flounder, sea cucumbers, octopus, etc. and priced at 1,200 yen!

By the way, the guest house I stayed at was called Ichibei, and it was just under 8,000 yen for one night and two meals.

I ate a lot of seafood such as crab, octopus, sashimi and boiled fish.

The dish in the photo comes with a small boiled octopus and clams.

The bike rentals were free and they kept our luggage at times other than check in and check out.

Cats around Sakushima West Port

The area around West port is dotted with art galleries such as “Ohirune House” and stylish cafes that have been renovated from old houses, and it’s a bit of a fashionable town.

Photo above is the “Ohirune House”.

It looks nice if you take a nap while listening to the sound of the ocean.

Like at East Port, I didn’t see any cats walking around the town or the port area, but rather they seemed to be hanging out in private house’s yards or near the entrance.

You can’t go into private house’s yards to take photos without permission, so I had to ask permission from the owners of private homes to take photos here as well.

There was a young cat who loved to play.

I wanted to keep photographing him because his every gesture was so cute, but he still went into private house’s yards.

Feeling the frustration of not being able to shoot as much as I would like, I tried to look for cats again.

It’s not that there are no cats in town.

However, the cats you see occasionally are wary and you can’t approach them easily.

The friendly cats go into private house’s.

It’s a little different from Sanyu Island and Manabe Island, where many cats don’t go into houses.

The picture is near the harbor where the fishermen’s boats dock in the west harbor. I expected to see a cat holding a fish, but I could not find the cat itself. Too bad.

Summary of Cats in Sakushima

Sakushima Island is a little different from the other cat islands.

Lastly, the most friendly cat in a village in East Port.

https://jatrabridge.com/2025/04/13/13340/read-before-you-go-7-essential-etiquette-rules-and-must-haves-for-visiting-a-japanese-cat-island-complete-guide/

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/11/5569/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/07/1792/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/06/1770/

In addition to the creatures living in the Kyushu sea, cute penguins, sea otters and dolphins are right in front of you!

Look forward to the summer seasons, such as the dolphin show with a night view of Hakata and the sea otter live, and many other attractions such as “Night Aquarium” Program is also held!

Tour:Uminonakamichi Marine World Admission Ticket in Fukuoka

The Marine World Uminonakamichi was renovated on November 2017

“Marine World Uminonakamichi” spreads over land-connected sandbars connecting Shiga Island and mainland Kyushu.

The Marine World Uminonakamichi, located in the resort-inspiring park, is a popular aquarium renovated throughout 2017.

The theme of the exhibition on the “Marine World Uminonakamichi” is the “Sea of Kyushu”.

“The route started with the 3F “Sea Zone near Kyushu”.

Standing in front of the Genkainada aquarium (photo above), you’ll find yourself in the sea.

The aquarium’s exhibitions include the seas near Kyushu, the open seas of Kyushu, the deep seas of Kyushu, the jellyfish of Kyushu, the dolphins close to Fukuoka, the coral reefs of Amami, the monster Island and the otter pool.

The “Diver Fish Watching” and “Sardines Typhoon” are particularly powerful at the Open Ocean Tank in Kyushu.

A must-see exhibit is “HONENOTO(sound of bone) ~ HONE NOTE”, which appeared in April 2019 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its opening.

The huge skull of a sperm whale and the whole body skeleton of a minke whale are awesome!

The secrets hidden in the bone shapes and bones that have changed according to the living environment are a series of surprises.

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/04/02/4685/

The beautiful performances of dolphins in the sea-visible showroom

The show pool where sea lion and dolphin shows are held has been renewed and further evolved!

The view of the pool and the sea from the spectator seats has improved significantly, and the stage has been closer to the spectator seats.

Sea lions and dolphins can be enjoyed right in front of you.

However, be aware that the front seats are splashing water during the show.

You can also see the sky and the sea beyond the show pool and the night view of Hakata sparkling at night.

At the sea lion show, sea lions will humorously show off their skills.

Clap to the sea lions that make a great smile!

Dolphins with high intellectual ability and curiosity are very popular with aquariums.

Dolphins can emit pulse sounds and use the sound reflected on the object to capture the characteristics of the object and communicate.

Don’t miss the dolphin show where you can enjoy such amazing jumps!

Jumping into the blue sky with the sea in the background, stunning standing swims and excellent teamwork skills, and lovely greetings that will be shown at the end …

Your heart will be got seized!

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/04/08/4698/

Too pretty! Marine World idols

The various expressions of the creatures gently wrap your bittered heart and the damp heart.

You’ll be cheered up by the creatures that live in Marine World!

Among the idols at the aquarium, the otter’s loveliness is exceptional!

Sea otter playing happily, his mouth munching before the nap time, floating in the pool, napping easily… you will be killed by cuteness.

As of July 2019, only eight of the cute otters are currently housed in Japan.

Two of them are Lilo (11-year-old male) and Mana (7-year-old female), who are housed in the Midway of the Marine World.

Mana became ill on the 11th day of her birth, so she was separated from her mother, Malin, and was raised with the generous care and affection of 16 breeders.

The dying Mana was energetic and overcame a number of crises, making it the first successful example of artificial nursing in Japan!

And now there is a passion for the birth of the second generation between Mana and Lilo.

The lovely creatures with this smile are Smenari.

It is a small dolphin of the porpoise family Smenari, characterized by an average size of 160-170cm, no back fins, and a 2-3cm bulge from the back to the tail fin.

The laughing mouth and the round head with a charming character, a series of people who are killed!

To meet the sumenari, go to the “Fukuoka-no-mijikana-iruka(Fukuoka Familiar Dolphins)”.

Alice, Goten and Miku, a cute Sennali who love to find play, are waiting for you!

Full of summer pleasure!

The summer enjoyment of the Marine World Uminonakamichi is the Night Aquarium.

It was held from July 13 to July 15, from July 20 to August 31, and from 18:00 to 21:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays in September in 2019.

Enjoy shows and programs in fantastic lighting, observe the creatures in the darkened aquarium, and enjoy the unique charm of the aquarium at night.

The program of the Night Aquarium is as follows.(in 2019)

During the evening aquarium program Sea Otter Live, the keeper approaches the sea otter Lilo and Mana, and uses a small video camera to tell the audience about the adorable appearance on the monitor.

Please be knocked out by the cuteness of the sea otters.

A must-see also is the fantastic “Night Dolphin Show”, which jumps back to the night view of Hakata sparkling beyond Hakata Bay.

If you are a penguin lover, don’t miss the “Penguins break time”.

In front of the penguins gathered before the break, the staff will give various explanations.

The children’s long-awaited program is “Touch Dolphins with Barefoot“, which is limited to summer vacation.

It will be held every day from July 20 (Sat) to August 31 (Sat), 2019.

Put your feet on the pool where dolphins swim and touch the dolphins!

It will be unforgettable memories for children.

A restaurant where dolphins can be seen from the water!

The gourmet spots in the middle of the Marine World are on the first floor, restaurant Reilly, and on the second floor, M-cafe.

In Restaurant Reilly, you can view the show pool from the water.

It’s an experience you can’t do to see behind the scenes of the dolphin show.

The restaurant’s popular food menus include a large-volume “Japanese-made steel-plate hamburger” and “roast beef bowl.

The pasta, noodles, udons, and hamburgers are also available.

Recommendation is a pretty dolphin curry plate.

This is a kid’s menu, but it is also OK for adults.

The popular menu on the second floor “M-cafe” is “Rakkkoman”, which is another meat dish.

“Marine World Uminonakamichi” can be easily accessed from Hakata for 30 minutes to 1 hour using vehicles, trains, and vessels (UMIKA Line).

During the summer vacation, would you like to go to the Marine World Uminonakamichi to see the beautiful creatures of the sea?

Basic information of Marine World Uminonakamichi

Address: 18-28 Nishitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
Telephone number: 092-6003-0400
Access: (Train) Take the JR Kagoshima Main Line from JR Hakata Station to Kashii Station, get off at JR Uminonakamichi Station, and walk for 5 minutes.

(Ship) Get off at Uminaka Line “Marine World Uminonakamichi” from Bayside Place Hakata Fugashira to Uminonakamichi

Information as of July 2019. Please refer to the official website for the latest information.

Why don’t you visit for a healing trip to Okunoshima Island, Takehara-City, Hiroshima-Prefecture, that has such a nickname?

I will introduce the way to enjoy 100% a time that you can play with cute bunnies together with manners that you need to know!

“Rabbit Island”, Okunoshima Island, is a resort island floating on the Seto Inland Sea.

Located in Takehara-City, Hiroshima-Prefecture, Okunoshima Island was deleted from a map during the world war as once an island of poisonous gas factory.

In recent years, there are many rabbits are living, and many people are visiting there as “Rabbit Island” of healing.

I will introduce the way to enjoy 100% a charm of Okunoshima Island that has been revived as the national park!

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/07/1792/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/06/1770/

How to go Rabbit Isalnd

You need to take ferry to go to the island from JR Tadanoumi Station.

From Tadanoumi Station, it takes about 15 minutes to Okunoshima Island.

Please check official website for more detail.

Here is the time table of ferry.

No cars allowed on the island!  Let’s enjoy walking!

To go to Rabbit Island, you will take a ferry from Tadanoumiko Port of Takehara-City, Hiroshima-Prefecture if from Kansai/ Hiroshima direction, and will take it from Sakariko Port located in Ehime-Prefecture if from Shikoku direction.  Because a car is not allowed for running on the island, if you will land by car, you will need to park it in a parking place near a pier.  Please coordinate your shoes easy to walk one.

When you get on a ferry that sails on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea, you will enjoy a bit of cruising feeling.

As soon as you land on the island, you will see rabbits right away.

Manners

If you see a rabbit, you will become wishing to follow it unconsciously, but please be patient!

Never to force anything, such as hugging it and chasing it!

Use wisely a free shuttle bus service to Kyuka-Mura Village!

A free shuttle bus service is operated from Okunoshima Sanbashi Pier until the main building of Kyuka-Mura Village.

You may use it without reservation, so let’s use it well when going around the island.

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/04/1857/

Rabbits’ paradise. Let’s try going toward a lawn square!

One of the spots where many cute bunnies are crowded is a lawn square in front of Kyuka-Mura village.

There are some times when friendly rabbits come close, so it is the place popular for tourists.

But, as there are also many rabbit excrement, so please be careful.

Looks like many rabbits will come running close with saying “Please give me food”, doesn’t it?

Feeding rabbits. Good chance to see a cute expression in very close distance!

A chance to play with rabbits is, whatever is said, a feeding time!

It is also recommended that prepare cabbages and carrots for food of rabbits before landing on the island and bring them.

Manners

Not good if a rabbit will get in bad health!

Please be careful not to give food that is not suitable as rabbits’ food, including bread and snacks.

When you go there, you shall go bringing about five bags of cut vegetables (green onions, Chinese chives, onions are not suitable) of about Yen 100 per bag that is sold in a supermarket.

Review from Japanese tourist site

Cycling slowly so that not to occur any clash accident!

You may bring in your favorite bicycle, but as a rental bicycle is prepared at Kyuka-Mura village, it is also recommended to go around at the speed of a bicycle slowly.

Manners

What you need to be careful about when you are cycling is accidental contact with rabbits living on the island

Let’s pay your attention around you for not making rabbits injured, of course, for not making them lost their lives, and for not making injured a person riding a bicycle and other tourists!

Simulated experience of rabbits’ feeling with ears of rabbits!?

As if a family of rabbits, there are statues of rabbits’ ears of various sizes of big and small along the coastline.

These are what is called sound collectors, and when you set your head inside of it, you can hear sounds collected by the sound collectors.

It looks that you can enjoy feeling as if you were a rabbit, sounds including the sound of the wind that goes through the island and a water sound of ripples of the sea.

Statues of rabbits’ ears lining up toward the gentle Seto Inland Sea.

Wonder what kind of feelings you can enjoy?

Only one restaurant!  Bringing a lunchbox is also recommended.

The only dining place on the island is a restaurant inside the Kyuka-Mura Village facility.

During the daytime, tourists including non-resident of accommodation are possible to use, and you can enjoy local signature menus that are used local foodstuff including octopus and oysters.

Also, it is good that you go prepared a lunch box or bought food before landing on the island.

Usagi no Ku-sofuto

A soft served ice cream called “Usagi no Ku-sofuto”.  Why don’t you try eating for making a memory of fun?

* “Usagi no Ku-sofuto” implies a soft served ice cream that looks like poops of rabbits.  Ku-sofuto in Japanese does not mean anything, but it can be understood as “Ku” and “Soft (served)”, and “Kuso” means poops in Japanese (not a polite word).

Soaking in hot spring on the Rabbit island, and staying at the hotel.

Only one accommodation facility on the island, “Kyuka-Mura Village Okunoshima Island”, is located in a superb place where you can overview the sea, and you can stay relaxed and slowly.

There is the lawn square where rabbits gather in front of your eyes.

Among “Fureai(touch rabbits) Programs” for residents of accommodation, there is a program called “A morning walk meeting: Feeling the season with bunnies”.

You can spend your time of the fresh morning, bathing the morning sunbeam, and observing plants of the season and wild rabbits.

A morning walk is also together with a rabbit.

A hot spring bath that you can fully enjoy a resort feeling!

Viewing the coastline, and soaking in a hot spring that is surrounded with palm trees, you seem released also your tired body, don’t you?

Smack your lips with local dishes in a buffet-style for breakfast and dinner!

Very popular is a buffet that lines up various dishes that are used abundantly local foodstuff, including, to begin with, fresh seafood, such as oysters, octopus, and blowfish, and vegetables of the seasons.

After played with rabbits much, it is also good to be healed with delicious slow foods, isn’t it?

You can enjoy as much as you like an octopus dish that is a specialty of Okunoshima Island!

If you wish to get close to European rabbits, camping is also recommended!

There is a camping place by the sea where the Seto Inland Sea expands in front of your eyes.  Staying in a tent that is close to the rabbits’ eyes seems to make an impressive memory, doesn’t it?

It seems that you can observe activities of European rabbits regardless of day or night, doesn’t it?

Playing in the water, while watching a rabbit that resting in shadows of trees!

During summertime, the sea-bathing park and the open-air swimming pool are opened.  Please try enjoying a rare situation that while feeling rabbits near, you can enjoy playing in the water.

An open-air swimming pool that you can view the Seto Inland Sea in front of your eyes.

Learn the history of “the island that was deleted from a map”.

In the Meiji 30s (a decade from 1897),  armed batteries are constructed prepared for the Russo-Japanese War, and since then, Okunoshima Island started recording its name in Japanese history.

As the World War first began, a military facility that manufactured and stored chemical weapons were constructed, and Okunoshima Island was deleted from a map.

Many local people, who worked in the facility, suffered long with health damage after the end of the war.

Also, we should not forget that many people lost their lives by the usage of the chemical weapons that were manufactured here.

As if changing a gentle aspect of the resort island, ruins of the military facility of the former Japan army remain on the island.

Stop by Okunoshima Island Poisonous Gas Archive Museum.

For stopping the history becoming weathered, which once was far from peace, there opened Okunoshima Island Poisonous Gas Archive Museum, and it provides an opportunity for peace learning.

There exhibit items including recorded documents and devices, which were used when poisonous gas was manufactured.  The reason why we can call it “Rabbit Island” today maybe because we are under peace.

Manners that you need to keep when leaving the island!

Don’t throw a rabbit away!

A house rabbit that is not suited to the nature of the island not only cannot eat food but also is bullied by rabbits of the island, and it will lose its life.

Source:  Before playing with rabbits of Okunoshima Island

Make it cleaner than when you arrived!

Littering trash is not only dirtying the island but also causing serious problems for animals that are living on the island, such as eating the trash and tangling fishing lines.  Please stop littering trash.

Source: Requests from rabbits to everyone/ Rabbit Island of the Seto Inland Sea. 

In the end.

If you play with cute bunnies while keeping manners, your daily stress can be healed.  Please make it for your reference when your visit.

Okunoshima Island (Rabbit Island)

Address:Okunoshima, Tadanoumi-Town, Takehara-City, Hiroshima-Prefecture

In Arashiyama that is one of the best sightseeing spots in Kyoto, there is a sightseeing spot very popular among foreign tourists.  That is “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama”.

Because you can see wild Japanese monkeys very close, and also because you can feed them with your hands, there crowded everyday with many tourists!

And because how to feed them with hands is a bit unusual, it is also a hot topic.

Play Around with Wild Monkeys Close in Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

The sightseeing spot representing Kyoto is Togetsukyo Bridge of Arashiyama.

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is located on a small mountain that stands behind it.

Here, about 120 wild Japanese monkeys are fed, and you can play with the Japanese monkeys very close.

This is a popular sightseeing spot among not only Japanese tourists but also foreign tourists.

Especially, the experience that you can feed Japanese monkeys with your hands at a rest house located in an observation deck square on the top of a mountain is very popular!

OMG! It Is a Human Who Is in a Cage!

Feeding monkeys can be said the main event of Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, but it is a bit different.

Surprisingly, a human who feeds monkeys enters to a hut, and gives food to monkeys from inside.

Yes, with a sense as if a human was put in a cage, you may feel a bit strange.

Although it may be seen as bizarre looking from the outside, it is from a safety reason.

Partners are undoubtedly wild animals.

This scheme is taken in order to play safely keeping firmly the rules.

On the other hand, you can understand that even monkeys are not scary at all if you keep the rules.

As if a tongue of chameleon, monkeys move very quickly their hands to get foods.

A monkey with a large body often receives feed more kindly.

If you are really scared, try putting feed on the table.

Then, monkeys will bring it.

You will be very excited with such monkeys’ moves.

By the way, you can buy the feed that you can give to monkeys in this hut.

Bringing feeds is prohibited, and this is the only hut that you can give them feed from.

Why Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is Popular Among Foreigners?

All the monkeys of Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama are individually identified, but they are anyway groups of wilds.

Although they live close to humans, they live as usual.

You may feel unconsciously smiling when you look at monkeys that are full of family love, just as same as of humans.

By the way, the reason why here is popular among foreign tourists is because most of groups of monkeys live only in warm area to tropical zones.

Although actually it is not very known among Japanese, the primate other than human beings that live on the earth at the farthest north is the Japanese monkey.

In another word, as a monkey cannot be seen the areas including in Europe and in North America, the monkeys are treated as very rare existence.

For such a reason, not only this Arashiyama, but also every other spot in Japan, where monkeys can be seen, is very popular among foreigners.

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is Actually a Superb View Spot

image by commons.wikimedia.org

Points to see of Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama are not only monkeys.

When you reach the square on the top of mountain, you will be surprised.

The superb view of overlooking Kyoto city streets welcomes you there.

In and around of Arashiyama and Sagano areas, here is the best number 1 superb view spot.

It is not overstatement that even if one can say that satisfied with enjoying just this landscape.

Even if you visit just to enjoy this landscape, you will probably never complain.

Also, a bit below under the top of mountain, there is a square where fulfilled with playing equipment, including long slopes and rope swings.

A family with kids can enjoy here.

Going to the Top of Mountain of Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama for Exercise

It is very close from Togetsukyo of Arashiyama to an entrance of “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama”, and you will find it after you cross Togetsukyo Bridge and turn to the right.

After you paid admission fee at the entrance, you will hike lightly for about 20 minutes in abundant nature.

There are some sections that may be a bit hard for the one who does not usually exercise, but there are some resting areas during the trail.

Also, there are some spots where you can learn about monkeys while you are climbing, so these ease your hard feeling of hiking.

You may learn knowledge that will make you say unintentionally “Oh! I didn’t know!”.

Let’s Go to the World’s Approved Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

In “Japan’s most popular Tourist Destination 2014” announced by “TripAdvisor”, the world’s famous online review for travel, “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama” made the great achievement that it was proudly ranked in at the 14th place.

Some of us tend to hold an image that monkeys “do bad things”.

But, please try playing around with monkeys at here “Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama”.

I think that you can re-confirm that “Huh? Were monkeys such cute?”

 

When you hear saying an island, you may imagine somewhere afar, but actually you can go there in about one to one and half hours, using a train and a ferry from Hakata.

This time, let me show you how to enjoy “AinoShima”, where tourists even from overseas visit as a cat island of Fukuoka.

Let’s fully enjoy AinoShima by either of 4 ways that are introduced here!

Note that Fukuoka has two cat islands and both name are “AinoShima”, but different spell in Japanese.

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/06/1770/

Check How To Go To AinoShima First

image by pintofcoffee.com

To AinoShima, you can go from Shingu Port (AinoShima Tosenba, a ferry boat boarding point) in Fukuoka, using a ferry about for 20 minutes (460 yen for one way).

As there are only six round trips a day during April through September and only five round trips a day during October through March, you may need to be careful.

Here is the timetable.

Also, you will go to Shingu Port by using town operated community buses departing from JR Fukkodaimae station or Nishitetsu Shingu station.

It is possible to use the bus at very reasonable fare of 100 Yen per boarding.

There is also a parking place at Shingu Port, so you can drive to the port and transfer to the boat.

As it takes just about 15 to 20 minute by train from JR Hakata station to JR Fukkodaimae station, it is accessible and convenient.

How to Enjoy AinoShima 1. Play With Cats

The island is so called a cat island where cats will greet you as soon as you get off the boat.

There are cats freely sleeping, reclining, and strolling in carefree manners, especially around the port area where many people live.

Many cats are friendly, so cats will not hardly get angry even if you touch them.

Though, of course, it is not good to wake up cats that are sleeping, let’s enjoy shooting photos from afar, and playing and touching with cats that approach to you.

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/03/27/4522/

How to Enjoy AinoShima 2. Stroll on the island

Circumference of AinoShima is about 8 km.

As you can go around the whole island walking only on a big road, men and women of all ages are strolling, while enjoying superb views.

Quite different from the landscape of the port of the first, there spreads forest on the other side of the island, so you can walk enjoying Shinrin-yoku (surrounded in a forest atmosphere, having refreshing feeling).

Also, there are abundant points to see, such as “Hanagurise (so called Meganeiwa or Glasses Rock)”, which is a rock on the sea with a hole in the middle and is the Prefectural designated cultural treasure, as well as “AinoShima Stone Ancient Tombs” which is a historical site on beach.

Let’s enjoy strolling while enjoying sightseeing and nature.

How to Enjoy AinoShima 3. Enjoy Fishing

image by pintofcoffee.com

AinoShima is a town of fishing industry.

As a result, there also many tourists taking a ferry for enjoying only fishing.

If you are a fishing-lover, you can easily enjoy fishing when you bring a fishing rod.

Especially, an area around the fishing port is prepared for fishing easily, so you can also enjoy fishing together with small kids.

How to Enjoy AinoShima 4. Enjoy Gourmets

image by note.mu

On AinoShima, you can also enjoy gourmets only on an island.

As there is just one restaurant next to AinoShima Tourist Information Center on the island, you shall eat there.

They serve many menus that use abundant fresh seafoods caught in the near shore, including Sashimi Teishoku Set and Kaisen Champon (Seafood Champon Ramen noodle) that use a plenty of seafoods, and Croquette Teishoku Set that uses minced fish.

So, you can fully enjoy the island gourmets.

It is also recommended to order Sashimi as an a la carte.

Summary

Although AinoShima is famous as a cat island, you can enjoy various other activities, such as strolling, fishing and enjoying gourmets, beside playing with cats.

Good to fully enjoy all the activities by taking a ferry a bit early in the morning, and also good to enjoy activities only of your interest.

Numbers of tourists to “AinoShima”, a cat island of Fukuoka, are increasing year by year.

Please enjoy completely the time on the island by your only way of enjoying yourself!

*Please check and confirm the latest information on some official websites.

https://jatrabridge.com/2025/04/13/13340/read-before-you-go-7-essential-etiquette-rules-and-must-haves-for-visiting-a-japanese-cat-island-complete-guide/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/04/1857/

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/11/5569/

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/04/5517/

A cat island are usually an island that became a sightseeing place because there are more population of cats than that of human, due to some circumstances.

What we introduce this time is “AinoShima”, a cat island of Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Why don’t you spend your happy holiday slowly with cats living on the island that is possible for a day-trip from Hakata?

Note that Fukuoka has two cat islands and both name are “AinoShima”, but different spell in Japanese.

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/07/1792/

Go To AinoShima Island From a Ferry Terminal Nearby JR Kokura station

It takes about one and half hours from Hakata to Kokura station by JR limited express.

Though there are some places to see such as Kokura Castle, let’s go toward to the north exit that is the opposite side of such places, and walk toward Kokura port.

Although a boarding point of the ferry going to AinoShima is small, there are many signs that show the place everywhere.

There is no parking attached, so if you come by car, please park nearby parking spaces.

There is a small waiting room that is also a ticketing station, and buy the ticket in advance.

A round trip from Kokura to AinoShima costs 800 Yen.

Let’s get on to a simple and modest ferry called “Kokura Go” together with many people going for fishing.

Here is the timetable of the ferry that I translated.

Arrived at “AinoShima” Island!

It takes about 40 minute cruise from Kokura via Umashima Island.

Excited with salty scent, getting comfortable sea breeze, you will feel  more and more excited about going to an isolated island.

A ferry terminal of AinoShima is in such atmosphere as in the photo.

So pastoral and modest that you will be healed.

AinoShima is a small isolated island of Kitakyushu City with circumference of about 13 km and areas of 0.68 square kilo meter.

Population of human is said a little less than 300.

Visitors are mainly for fishing, and you can also sea bath in summer.

It is a pastoral island, but the number of wild cats is said about 300 that is same as that of human population, so in recent years tourists have been increased with word-of mouth as “a cat island” and are increasing year by year.

Originally, as the reason for increased cats, because the main industry of the island is fishing, it is said that since the past time, residents on the island have taken good care of cats, which catch rats that make holes in fishing boats.

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/03/27/4522/

Here, There, and Everywhere Are Many Cats

image by welcomekyushu.com

As soon as you get off the boat, you will hear “meow” of calls of cats, and you will immediately be surrounded with many cats.

Every cat is plump and anyway very cute, and is very friendly.

When you notice, you find that you have spent much time at the terminal.

It takes about 40 minute by walk from the terminal of south of the island to the farthest north, and cats are mainly living around residential areas from the terminal to an elementary school.

There is no particular complicated road, and when you walk along toward the residential areas, you can see cats one after another.

There are posters that say “Please feed the cats here” in front of houses of island residents who are cooperative for feeding wild cats, and for those tourists who like to feed the cats, it is a manner to do so where such posters are put.

Cats also are gathering and staying around houses where the posters are, and when tourists stop by, there will be immediately many cats all around.

Only Few Road Signs

image by welcomekyushu.com

When you walk among residential houses playing with cats, you will see the tunnel as shown in the photo.

Passed the tunnel, you will see an elementary school.

When you go to the left just before the tunnel, you can go toward “AinoShima Toomi Bansho Hatabashira Dai (base stones of flags at a watchtower)” of the Prefectural designated cultural treasure, a historical site of the island.

When either way you go to, places where you can often see cats are gradually decreasing after walking for about 10 minutes.

If your purpose is just playing with cats, let’s walk around in the residential areas of about 30 minute by walk.

It takes about 10 minute by walk to the historical site from around the tunnel, and takes about 40 minutes to an observation spot.

As there is no public transportation on the island, it is an important point that you walk around thinking about your body power and necessary time to catch a ferry of going back.

Manner for Getting Along With Cute Cats

image by zoomingjapan.com

To AinoShima twice a week, there come some volunteers to see status of cats from the main land, and as we heard a story, they appeal strongly that “though it is good that tourists increase, please keep common manner”.

Originally, the island is very quiet and pastoral, and don’t forget that the island residents are living ordinary.

These are the basic sightseeing manners.

Please keep the common manners so that cats will not become hated on the island.

Please spend your relaxed time with cats with consideration of island residents.

Only love of island residents and consideration of tourists can make cats stay relaxed and at ease.

Convenient Information of the Island

There is no store or restaurant on the island, but there is some vending machines for drinks.

For those who think having a lunch on the island, please bring your food when leaving Kokura.

It is recommended to eat around the terminal not on roads of residential areas.

Also, as there is Minshuku (a private home providing beds) for fishing people, you can stay there.

For concerning the restroom status, please go to the restroom at Kokura first of all.

And then, there is one near a waiting room of the terminal at AinoShima island side, so you will be at ease if you go there before going for playing with cats after arrived at the island.

Please spend your healing holiday slowly on “AinoShima”, where you can go by a day-trip from Hakata!

A ferry between Kokura and AinoShima goes three round trips a day.

As the times are varied a bit depending on a season or a day of week, please check and confirm the times at official website.

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/07/31/1660/

https://jatrabridge.com/2019/08/04/1857/

Timetable of the ferry

Here is the timetable of the ferry that I translated from Japanese site

This was updated in 2019/12/27.

https://jatrabridge.com/2025/04/13/13340/read-before-you-go-7-essential-etiquette-rules-and-must-haves-for-visiting-a-japanese-cat-island-complete-guide/

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/11/5569/

https://jatrabridge.com/2020/06/04/5517/