Where to stay on Tashirojima island
Where to stay in Cat Island, 7 guesthouses, lodge and camping site on Tashirojima island
You might have known how to get the cat island from our article " How to get the cat islands in Japan ". We featured one of the cat islands Aoshima as to where to stay. This article shall be useful when you are planning to stay on other cat island Tashirojima Island.
Some quick updated summary of the island here (UPDATED May 2024).
Tashirojima, often referred to as Cat Island, is a unique destination in Japan known for its significant feline population. The island features two primary settlements: Ōdomari and Nitoda. Nitoda, pronounced "Nitoda," is the larger and more cat-populated of the two. Beyond these villages, the island is largely covered in forest.
Ports and Transportation
Both Ōdomari and Nitoda have ports that receive ferries from Ishinomaki. It’s important to note that some ferry routes may skip Ōdomari, so visitors should check the schedule to ensure they can reach their desired destination.
If you have not much time, simply go to Nitoda. You often see many cats there.
Nitoda is the primary settlement on Tashirojima, known for its larger size and higher concentration of cats. The cats here are semi-wild, meaning they are not fully domesticated but have integrated well with the local community. It is funny some people keep some cats as pets there while so many cats everywhere. Nitoda offers several amenities for visitors, making it a convenient and comfortable spot to explore:
- Shops: Small stores where visitors can purchase snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
- Guesthouses: Three guesthouses provide accommodation for those wishing to stay overnight.
- Vending Machines: Easily accessible for purchasing drinks and small snacks.
- Public Restrooms: Modern, clean facilities for visitors’ convenience.
Additionally, on the outskirts of Nitoda, on a hillside, is a lodge village managed by the city of Ishinomaki. This provides further accommodation options with a scenic view.
Ōdomari: The Quaint Fishing Village
Ōdomari is much smaller than Nitoda and primarily serves as a fishing village. It has one guesthouse catering mainly to anglers. While there are cats in Ōdomari, they are fewer in number compared to Nitoda. Traveling Between main areas. The two settlements are about a 30-minute walk apart. If your visit to Tashirojima is time-constrained and you can only explore one of the settlements, Nitoda is recommended due to its larger size and more abundant amenities.
Quick visitor tips shall be as below:
Meals and Provisions
Bringing your own food is highly recommended. Many visitors purchase meals and snacks in Ishinomaki before heading to the island. Some convenient options near Ishinomaki Station include:
- Aeon Ishinomaki Station Store: A large supermarket where you can buy onigiri (rice balls), bento (boxed meals), bread, and other provisions.
- NewDays Convenience Store: Located within Ishinomaki Station, this store opens at 6:30 AM, providing an opportunity to grab food and drinks early in the day.
It's important to note that there are no convenience stores along the route from JR Ishinomaki Station to the ferry terminal.
A vending machine near Nitoda Port ensures visitors have access to drinks while exploring the island.
Within Nitoda, visitors can find Kuroneko-do, a shop that sells various cat-themed goods. Someone who "immigrated" to the island started and run the shop. Kuroneko-do is housed in a stylish café that also serves as the Tashirojima History Museum, located in a renovated former post office building.
Island Station
Between Nitoda and Ōdomari lies Island Station, a rest area for travelers located on the former grounds of Tashirojima Elementary School. Here, visitors can purchase original cat goods and seafood. While there isn't a full-service restaurant, the station offers tea and light snacks (open from 10 AM to 1 PM or 3 PM, with irregular closing days). Island Station is a social hub where visitors and locals can interact, and many friendly cats often approach visitors.
Cat Shrine (Miyori dai-myojin)
A short walk north from Island Station leads to the Cat Shrine (Miyori dai-myojin). This shrine is deeply rooted in the local culture, as the people of Tashirojima hold a strong belief in the cat deity. Historically, fishermen would observe the cats’ behavior to predict the weather. Some says a key fisherman built this shrine for a cat which died by an accident, some says the shrine originated when a fisherman, while making anchors, accidentally injured a cat. Whatever the real cause was...something(!) led to the creation of a small shrine to pray for the cat’s safety and good fishing fortune. Since its establishment, it is believed that there have been no sea accidents and that the fishing yields have been plentiful.
Guidelines and Etiquette
Public Restrooms
There are three public restrooms available on the island:
1. Near Nitoda Port: A newly rebuilt facility after the earthquake, known for its cleanliness.
2. Manga Island: Behind the management building on the hill.
3. Island Station: About 200 meters from the Cat Shrine, specifically for travelers.
Feeding Cats
Feeding the cats on Tashirojima is prohibited to prevent overfeeding, which can lead to health issues. Visitors who bring cat food are encouraged to donate it using the designated cat food donation boxes on the island. The local residents will ensure the food is used appropriately.
Bringing Pets not allowed.
Dogs are generally not allowed on Tashirojima as they are considered natural enemies of cats. The island’s cats are semi-wild but their feeding and health are managed by the community, particularly through Island Station. It is essential to respect this management to ensure the well-being of the cats.
Cultural Respect
The residents of Ishinomaki and its fishing communities hold their traditions and beliefs in high regard, especially those surrounding the Cat Shrine. Visitors are encouraged to respect these customs during their stay.
By following these guidelines and being mindful of the local culture, visitors to Tashirojima can enjoy a unique and respectful experience on this charming Cat Island.
To support any cat lover to enjoy the trip to the cat island, Onegai kaeru team introduce where you can stay on one of the cat islands, Tashirojima.
Most of the guesthouses have no website and no information. Even the information we get are not the latest thus subject to changes. Please call the place up or mail the place up and find out more latest information!
Here is the list of the guesthouses on Tashirojima island. If you know more place, please let us know!
Guest house - Minshuku
Guesthouse Hamaya
Price: 8500JPY per person per night with two meals (dinner and breakfast) (incl. tax)
Contact: +81 225-98-2620 (09:00AM-20:00)
Location: Odomari, Tashirojima
Note: when booking, please notify i. from what date till what date to stay, ii. how many people, iii. name of the people to stay, iv. contact info
check in: 15:00
check out: 10:00AM
Guesthouse Amimoto
Price: 7000JPY per person per night with two meals(dinner and breakfast)
Contact: +81 225-98-2316
Location: Nitoda, Tashirojima
check in: n.a.
check out: n.a.
Guesthouse official Pet: Chameko, the cat
Guesthouse Kaihikan
Price: 7000JPY per person per night with two meals(dinner and breakfast)
Contact: +81 225-98-2321
Location: Nitoda, Tashirojima
check in: n.a.
check out: n.a.
Guesthouse Marine Life
Price: 8400JPY per person per night with two meals (dinner and breakfast)
Contact: +81 225-21-4122
Location: Nitoda, Tashirojima
Note: when booking, please notify i. from what date till what date to stay, ii. how many people, iii. name of the people to stay, iv. contact info in the e-mail( from the e-mail you find here) then the guest house will send you the reservation form
check in: 12:00
check out: 11:00AM
Guesthouse Hinode
Price: n.a.
Contact: +81 225- 98-2032
Location: Nitoda, Tashirojima
check in: n.a.
check out: n.a.
Guesthouse Maruya
Price: 7400JPY per person per night with two meals(dinner and breakfast)
Contact: +81 225- 98-2022
Location: Nitoda, Tashirojima
check in: n.a.
check out: n.a.
Guesthouse Fujiya
Price: n.a.
Contact: +81 225- 98-2338
Location: Nitoda, Tashirojima
check in: n.a.
check out: n.a.
Manga Island Lodge and Camping site
Other option
You can stay at a lodge or camping site called "Manga Island". There is a small shop but not open everyday. So it is better to bring all foods.
Click the link and go down to find the section as below.
関連ファイル
With your application filled, better call up the contact below and find how to proceed.
Contact: Ishinomaki city
Tel: +81 225-95-1111 (internal 3533/3534/3535 )
Opening hour: 08:00AM-17:00
Email: issightsee (a) city.ishinomaki.lg.jp
Contact: +81-225-21-4141 (Closed on Tuesday)
If you wonder how to get this Cat island (Tashirojima island), please check here!
Local tour guide
Looking for a local tour guide to this cat island who can speak English? We have! Our tour guide can show you around the cat island as well as Sendai area.
Hotels around Ishinomaki
If you want, you can also stay in Ishinomaki area. Here are some examples of the hotels.
Tama hotel Tama is the name of the cat of the hotel
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Source: Wikipedia, Ishinomaki City website
Disclaimer: Even though we try to make the info as updated and accurate but the accuracy of the information herein is not guaranteed by us. If you have any uncertainty, please contact the information source.
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