Shrine honours cats on Japanese island where felines outnumber humans

On a small island off Japan’s north-eastern coast, visitors make offerings at a shrine for unlikely local guardians: cats.

The “Neko Jinja”, or Cat Shrine, mythologises cats as guardian angels of Tashirojima, where cats outnumber humans.

Fishermen on the island have also traditionally believed that cats bring good luck, including large hauls of fish.

Another legend says fishermen used to watch the cats’ behaviour for tips on the coming weather before heading to sea.

Tashirojima is part of the city of Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture in the Tohoku region, which became well known after a tsunami devastated the area following a massive magnitude 9 earthquake on March 11 2011.

Over 100 cats inhabit Tashirojima, along with about 50 humans, according to the city’s website.

There are a few cafes and inns, but no car rental shops, gas stations or public transportation.

Tourists are expected to walk up and down the island’s hills while visiting.

Most of the cats are used to tourists, who can be seen petting the friendly animals throughout the island.