Global InformationTashirojima information
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Native name: 田代島 (tashirojima) | |
|---|---|
 View of Tashirojima from the west side | |
  Tashirojima | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 38°18′N 141°25′E / 38.300°N 141.417°E |
| Area | 3.14 km2 (1.21 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 11.5 km (7.15 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 96.2 m (315.6 ft) |
| Highest point | Shojima Mountain (正島山, shojimayama) |
| Administration | |
Japan | |
| Prefecture | Miyagi |
| City | Ishinomaki |
Tashirojima (Japanese: 田代島) is a small island in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It lies in the Pacific Ocean off the Oshika Peninsula, to the north of Aji Island. It is an inhabited island, although the population is quite small (around 80 people as of 2015[update], compared to around 1,000 people in the 1950s).[1][2] It has become known as "Cat Island" owing to its large stray cat population that thrives as a result of the local belief that feeding cats will bring wealth and good fortune. The cat population is now larger than the human population on the island. There are no pet dogs on the island due to the large cat population.[3]
The island is divided into two villages/ports, Oodomari and Nitoda. The neighboring Aji Island used to belong to the town of Oshika, while Tashirojima was a part of the city of Ishinomaki. On April 1, 2005, Oshika merged with Ishinomaki,[4] so now both islands are a part of Ishinomaki.
Since 83% of the population is classified as elderly, the island's villages have been designated as a "terminal village" (限界集落, genkai-shūraku) which means that with 50% or more of the population being over 65 years of age, the survival of the village is threatened.[3] The majority of the people who live on the island are involved either in fishing or hospitality.
The island is also known as Manga Island, as mangaka Shotaro Ishinomori planned to move to the island shortly before his death. There are manga-themed lodges on the island, resembling cats.[5]
- ^ "田代島とともに生きて" Archived 2013-02-19 at archive.today. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
- ^ Donoho, Landon (2015). Cat Heaven Island.
- ^ a b "猫パワーで“離島おこし”" Archived 2010-11-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
- ^ "石巻市はこんなまち". Retrieved 2010-08-04.
- ^ "マンガアイランド". Ishinomaki City Tourist Office. Retrieved 12 February 2017.