Tashirojima

Tashirojima (田代島) is a small island in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Tōhoku region, Japan. It lies in the Pacific Ocean off the Oshika Peninsula. It is an inhabited island, although the population is quite small, and it is said to be the model for Hyokkori Hyōtanjima. Recently, it has become known as "Cat Island" due to its large stray cat population that is thriving as a result of the local belief that feeding cats fish will bring wealth and good fortune. The cat population is now larger than the human population. (A 2009 article in Sankei News says that none of the families on the island keeps dogs as pets, and it is basically prohibited to bring dogs onto the island.)