uh.: November 2015

14 May 2015

Super overdue post, but trying to catch up and finish all Japan posts before the end of the year.

So after a failed attempt to go to Tashirojima the previous day, I finally made it on the 14th!! Although that meant waking up at 4.50am on two consecutive days, it was totally worth it.

To get to Tashirojima you need to take a ferry from Ishinomaki port, and the ferry’s frequency is only 3 times a day. This really does restrict what you can do, cos you have to plan your day around the ferry timings, but okay lah. Anything for cats.

I took a cab from Ishinomaki station to the port, which was a mistake cos I ended up super early at the port and had to wait for about an hour I think. But in any case, there were cats and kittens at the port to play with so it wasn’t too bad. And I did a lot of reflecting too. So it was fine.

The ferry to take is from the Ajishima Line, and you can get off at the points on Tashirojima itself: either Oodomari or Nitoda.

I read reviews which advised alighting at Nitoda cos apparently that side of the island has more cats, so I did.

There weren't many foreign tourists on the ferry. Mostly locals who either live on Tashirojima (mostly old folks) or Japanese people who either love cats or love taking photos or both. It seems like a domestic tourism place. There was a really sweet old couple who offered to take me to their home for tea after I helped them carry stuff on and off the ferry hahaha super cute.

So this is the first cat that greeted me (literally ran towards me; I’ve never felt so loved in my life) and she has a kitten! Cutest.

There was this really nice spot in particular where I just saw for a really long time and enjoyed the scenery and breeze (and also cos the cat sat on me and I didn’t wanna move). The island is a gorgeous, gorgeous place, and even if you’re not a fan of cats, it’s an amazing place for a trek or a day retreat by yourself. Given that I had to do a lot of research, when I got to the island, it was worth it. Even though there weren’t as many cats as I had expected and hoped for, the island itself just made up for the lack of cats. Totally worth it.

There are like chalets where people can stay but not many do, and I think there’s a particular season for it or something? I didn’t manage to check, but would love to stay there some day. One day. Eventually. (#lifegoals) It’s really cute; the chalets are cat-head shaped and just decorated with everything cat. And the surrounding area is beautiful too. The only thing is I think you have to bring your own food, cos there aren’t supermarkets or anything on the island (or at least none that I know of).

A lack of cats is not to say that there weren’t many cats. There were quite a few, and it was nice coming across random cats who don’t run away at the sight of you. But there weren’t enough cats. There are never enough cats hahaha.