Try searching for “Aoshima” in Japan. Guess what, you’ll get two different islands. Same name, wildly different experiences: one where cats outnumber humans 20 to 1, and another where tropical beaches meet ancient spirituality.
Welcome to Japan’s most fascinating case of mistaken identity.
Aoshima, Ehime: Where cats rule the kingdom
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Location: Ehime Prefecture, Western Japan
Population: More whiskers than people, 4 humans, 80+ cats. This is possibly the only place on Earth where being human makes you the minority.
Getting there: Take a 30-minute ferry from Nagahama Port near Ōzu City.
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Back in the 1940s, local fishermen brought cats to the island to control the rat population. Mission accomplished, perhaps too well. As the human population dwindled over the decades, the cats stayed, thrived, and claimed their feline kingdom.
Today, Aoshima exists in a state of beautiful abandonment. No hotels, no restaurants, no convenience stores, just weathered houses, narrow pathways, and dozens of cats who’ll follow you with curious eyes and gentle purrs.
But here’s the bittersweet reality: This cat paradise is living on borrowed time. All the cats have been spayed and neutered, meaning no new generations. Biologists estimate that within the next decade, this unique ecosystem may vanish entirely, especially as the last human residents also age and leave.
Aoshima, Miyazaki: Tropical Serenity Meets Sacred Tradition
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Location: Miyazaki Prefecture, Southern Japan
Vibes: Bohemian with a touch of spirituality
Getting there: Just 20 minutes by car from Miyazaki City, or take the JR Nichinan Line to Aoshima Station and walk five minutes to the beach.
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Connected to the mainland by a short bridge, this Aoshima sits surrounded by the famous “Devil’s Washboard”-dramatic rock formations that create one of Japan’s most striking coastal landscapes.
At the island’s heart lies Aoshima Shrine, hidden within a subtropical forest that feels almost primordial. The shrine’s vermillion torii gate, especially at sunrise, creates moments that linger in memory long after you’ve left.
The island’s microclimate nurtures over 500 rare plant species, essentially making it a living botanical garden in the middle of the Pacific.
The surrounding Aoshima town has evolved into southern Japan’s answer to California’s surf culture, but with a distinctly Japanese twist: Consistent waves make this a surfer’s paradise, with surfing schools suitable for beginners to experts. Meanwhile, beach yoga sessions nourish your soul and wellness cafes like Surf Cafe ULU and Cafe Zeal offer vegetarian cuisine and spaces for reflection.
For the foodies, local restaurants such as Amimoto and Aoshimaya serve some of the freshest kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) and sashimi you’ll find anywhere.
Your choice, your adventure
Choose Cat Island if: You’re drawn to the beautifully bizarre, love cats, and want to experience a place that exists nowhere else on Earth while you still can.
Choose Tropical Aoshima if: You’re searching for that perfect blend of natural beauty, spiritual tranquillity, and modern beach culture.
Or better yet: Why choose at all? These two remarkable islands prove that sometimes the best travel stories begin with a simple case of mistaken identity.
Two Aoshimas, two worlds, infinite possibilities. Which one calls to you?
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This article was first published in Wego.
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