I visited Japan Cat Island, where there are more cats than people. Elderly people and cats coexist.

As the ferry approaches Aoshima, keep an eye out for the cats! They often gather at the dock, seemingly waiting for the boat. Be prepared for intense 'skinship' – they'll come right up to you, sometimes even 'catpunching' for food! There are designated feeding areas, and it's crucial to follow the rules: take all trash home and don't overfeed. I found that feeding in several spots helps prevent fights. It's a lively, sometimes chaotic, but always heartwarming experience.

Take a moment to visit the shrine on the island. It's an elevated spot that offers a panoramic view of Aoshima. While you can't feed cats at the shrine, I found one friendly cat who seemed to grant my wish for good relations with the island's felines, following me down the stairs. It's a peaceful break from the bustling feeding areas, offering a different kind of interaction with the cats.

On the second morning, the cat population seemed even larger than the first day! I fed them with both hands to try and prevent fights, but once the chirping stopped, the battle for food began. My feeding technique improved, but even with a lot of food, it ran out quickly. It's a relatively peaceful meal, but you'll need to be quick to feed the shyer cats before the stronger ones take their share. I even tried giving some special high-grade food to the less assertive cats.

For lunch, I opted to eat inside the clean ferry waiting room, as eating outside would surely attract many cats. While cats aren't allowed inside, many will wait patiently by the door, which is incredibly cute. I enjoyed a half-price bento I bought from the supermarket the night before, featuring burdock tempura and fried horse mackerel, which was very tasty and filling. The waiting room itself is interesting, decorated with old pictures of Aoshima and remnants of a former store.

I discovered a drawer full of catnip toys in the waiting room and decided to borrow one to play with the cats. Many cats were still waiting at the door, and one immediately responded to the toy, having so much fun! It's a great way to interact with them beyond just feeding. Even a cat that had been fighting earlier became calm and playful. It's a peaceful and heartwarming experience to see them enjoy themselves.

I had the unique opportunity to meet 'Dokin-chan,' a famous elderly female cat on Aoshima known for her resemblance to an anime character. She rarely goes outside or to the feeding areas, so I was incredibly lucky to meet her with the help of a resident. She's a beautiful cat with a strange, distinct pattern, and her walk is graceful and dignified. It was a special, last-minute encounter that made the trip even more memorable, especially knowing her history of overcoming cat flu.