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JAPAN is no stranger to novelty tourist attractions and sites. But perhaps the most adorable of them are its cat islands, invaded by hundreds of furry felines that laze and wander about in utter bliss.
Today, all cats in the quiet fishing village live in harmony by the coast and are fed with rice balls, scraps of food and leftovers by tourists and locals. Based on photos, the cats look healthy, clean and well-fed.
Even if the cats are happy, the reality for local residents may not be as ideal. Photographer Kei Nomiyama, who photographed the hundreds of cats in Aoshima, said that only 15 people live on the island.
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Because of the outnumbering of cats to humans, locals find it difficult to sustain the cats as well as the island conditions. A steep rise in tourist numbers are also overwhelming the permanent residents. Kei added that to control the population of cats, locals have had some of them neutered.
But the many feeding grounds for tourists and visitors could help to take some of the weight off the locals’ shoulders. Caution: If you’re armed with food at a feeding ground, prepare for a swarm of at least a hundred cats towards you.
Because the village doesn’t cater to tourists, there are no hotels, restaurants or even so much as a vending machine. A ferry travels to the island daily from the picturesque coast of Ehime.
Here are a few photos that capture the Aoshima island:
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A photo posted by @aoshima_cat on
A photo posted by @aoshima_cat on
The post In pictures: Japan’s bizarre cat islands are overrun by cuddly felines appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com