[Animal Tourism: Cat Island] Japan: Iwaishima, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Iwaishima is a small island in Yamaguchi Prefecture. A heart-shaped island with a circumference of 12km in the Seto Inland Sea, where fishing, agriculture and tourism are thriving. It is a small island with about 500 inhabitants, but it is known that about 50 cats live on this island. This island wasn’t very famous, but it’s become known to be home to many cats, and the number of tourists visiting it is increasing.

Location

Iwaishima is an island located in the southern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Address	Iwaishima, Kaminoseki, Kumage District, Yamaguchi 742-1401
Population	500
Number of Cats	50

History

Evidence of fishing on this island has been found since ancient times. Since it was a port of call for maritime transportation, it has been worshiped as an island of spirits praying for the safety of ships. It is also often the shooting location for movies and TV dramas.

Climate

Iwaishima has a mild climate throughout the year. The feature is that the sea breeze is strong in winter. Temperatures range from 5 ° C to 28 ° C throughout the year.

Language

Japanese is used in Japan.

Security

Iwaishima is very safe and there are few inhabitants, so crimes rarely occur. Natural disasters are more important than man-made disasters, and typhoons may come.

Race

Most of them are Japanese in Japan.

industry

Iwaishima is very active in fishing, agriculture and tourism. In particular, fishing has been a thriving industry since ancient times and has supported the island’s economy. The island has some facilities. There are also police boxes, post offices, coffee shops and private shops.

religion

There are many atheists in Japan.

currency

Japanese yen is used in Japan.

airport

Yamaguchi Ube Airport is the nearest.

Name	Yamaguchi Ube Airport
Address	625 Okiube, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-0001
URL	Home Page

access

There is a high-speed bus from Yamaguchi Ube Airport that will take you to Shin-Yamaguchi Station. From Shin-Yamaguchi Station, take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Yanaiminato Station. After that, you can move from the port by ferry. You can check the operating hours, maps, prices, etc. from the URL below.

Route	Place	Vehicle	Time	Address	URL
1	Yamaguchi Ube Airport (Liaison Bus / Ube City Transportation Bureau / Yamaguchi Ube Airport-Shin Yamaguchi Line / Shin Yamaguchi Station) → JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station	Bus	30min	625 Okiube, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-0001	Map
2	JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station(JR Sanyo Main Line bound for Iwakuni) → JR Yanaiminato Station	Train	100min	1-2-1, Ogorireiwa, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, 754-0041	Map
3	JR Yanaiminato Station → Yanaiko[Ferry Terminal]	Walk	–	Yanai, Yamaguchi 742-0021	–
4	Yanaiko[Ferry Terminal] → Iwai island	Ferry	70min	Yanai, Yamaguchi 742-0021	Map

Sightseeing Spot 1: Kokko

There is something called the fruit of immortality and longevity on Iwaishima. Few are cultivated for sale and are not widely available on the market.

Address	Iwaishima, Kaminoseki-cho, Kumage-gun, Yamaguchi 742-1401
URL	–
Open Time	–

Sightseeing Spot 2: Kaminoseki Municipal Iwaishima Elementary School

The only elementary school on this island. Closed in 2003 and reopened in 2005. It is a school with a history of over 100 years.

Address	10003 Iwaishima, Kaminoseki-cho, Kumage-gun, Yamaguchi 742-1401
URL	Home Page
Open Time	08:30～16:30

Sightseeing Spot 3: Miyato Hachimangu

It is the only shrine on Iwaishima. There are some steep stairs.

Address	1571, Iwaishima, Kaminoseki-cho, Kumage-gun, Yamaguchi Prefecture
URL	Home Page
Open Time	–

Hotel

Iwaishima does not have many accommodations. Therefore, please make a reservation in advance before going on a trip. In the worst case, it will be a field inn.

Misaki Ryokan

Address	184 Iwaishima, Kaminoseki, Kumage District, Yamaguchi 742-1401
URL	Home Page
Time	–

Kunihiro Minshuku

Address	254-1 Iwaishima, 大字 Kaminoseki, Kumage District, Yamaguchi 742-1401
URL	Home Page
Time	–