Japan's Cat Island
Cats, cats, cats. ... They rule the remote island of Aoshima in southern Japan, curling up in abandoned houses or strutting about in a fishing village they've overrun. The outnumber humans 6 to 1.
Photo: Cats crowd the harbor on Aoshima Island in the Ehime prefecture of southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
Cat Island
Cats crowd around village nurse and Ozu city official, Atsuko Ogata, as she carries a bag of cat food to the designated feeding place on Aoshima Island in Japan, February 25, 2015.
Once the cats were introduced to the island they multiplied; more than 120 cats swarm the island with only a handful of humans to keep them company.
Cat Island
A cat jumps for food offered by a tourist as other cats beg for food on Aoshima Island in Japan, February 25, 2015.
Aoshima had been home to 900 people in 1945. Now just a few pensioners who didn't join the waves of migrants, who left the island seeking work in urban areas, remain.
Cat Island
Cats surround people as they get off a boat at the harbor on Aoshima Island in southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
The main sight of human activity is the day-trippers from the mainland, visiting what is locally known as Cat Island.
Cat Island
An overview shows the main part of the fishing village on Aoshima Island in southern Japan February 25, 2015.
Cat Island
A tourist takes pictures of cats as they sit at the harbor on Aoshima Island in southern Japan February 25, 2015.
With no restaurants, cars, shops, or kiosks selling snacks, Aoshima is no typical tourist haven. The allure of the cats is enough for many visitors.
Cat Island
A local woman shoos away cats as she leaves her house on Aoshima Island in southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
The allure of cats is not surprising in a country that gave the world Hello Kitty.
Cat Island
Cats sit on a wall on Aoshima Island in southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
Many residents of Toyko can't keep cats at home because of strict housing regulations that often forbid pets so the rise of Aoshima Island as a tourist destination and the popularity of cat cafes in Tokyo is no surprise.
Cat Island
Cats vie for food on Aoshima Island in southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
The cats usually survive on rice balls, energy bars or potatoes they get from tourists.
Cat Island
Cats sit on a wall on Aoshima Island in the Ehime prefecture in southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
Cat Island
A cat walks past wooden farm sheds on Aoshima Island in southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
Cat Island
Cats crowd the harbor on Aoshima Island in Ehime prefecture in southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
Cat Island
A cat jumps off a piano in the music room of a derelict school on Aoshima Island in the Ehime southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
Cat Island
A cat sits on a wall of a derelict school on Aoshima Island in southern Japan, February 25, 2015.
Cat Island
Cats sit on a wall overlooking the sea on Aoshima Island in Ehime prefecture in southern Japan, February 25, 2015.