10 best places to see free-roaming animals in Japan

This small island in Fukuoka prefecture is a must-visit for every cat lover. Only 20 minutes by ferry from Fukuoka city, Ainoshima is home to more than 100 stray cats who live in the island’s small fishing village. You’ll find them roaming around on the streets, sunbathing, snoozing or watching the local fishermen. Most are friendly enough that you can pet them, but keep in mind that feeding the cats is strictly prohibited.

The coastline of Ainoshima is only about eight kilometres long, so it’s a short walk from anywhere to the eastern part of the island, where you'll find a small shrine and more than 250 tumuli – mounds of stones dating back to the fifth century, believed to be ancient graves.

Ainoshima, Shingu-machi, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka prefecture. Ferry from Shingu port ¥480, primary school students ¥240, free for younger children. The ferry departs six times a day between March and October, and five times a day between November and February. See the schedule here (in Japanese only).

Another popular cat island is Tashirojima in Miyagi prefecture, where a few hundred cats call home. The number of felines on this little island increased during the Edo period (1603-1868), when the island was known for its silk worm farms and cats were brought in to protect the silk worms from mice. Once a flourishing island with over 1,000 residents, the population has dwindled to about 80 people – they’re outnumbered by the cats.

Nitoda Port in the south is home to the island’s largest village and most of the stray cats. Local fishermen believed the felines brought good luck, so they protected them and even built a tiny, cat-sized shrine in the middle of the island when one cat died in an accident. The cats are still pretty well protected – you’ll notice pet dogs are not allowed on Tashirojima.

There’s actually more cat-related fun at Tashirojima, which is also known as ‘Manga Island’. Between June and October, you can visit the on-site manga-themed camping resort, which boasts cat-shaped cottages, complete with cat-related artworks by famous Japanese manga artists.

Tashirojima, Ishinomaki, Miyagi prefecture. 45-min ferry ride from Ishinomaki port to Tashirojima; ¥1,250, primary school students ¥625, free for younger children. See the schedule here (in Japanese only).

If you love fluffy bunnies, then this island off the coast of Hiroshima prefecture is the place to be. About 1,000 wild rabbits inhabit the island, and due to their high fertility rate, they are considered a symbol of safe childbirth and the blessing of many children. The local fluffballs love being surrounded by visitors, especially when you bring treats like lettuce or carrots. The rabbits are mostly active in the morning and evening, so we recommend staying a night at the only hotel on the island, the National Park Resort Kyukamura Okunoshima. Bicycles are available to rent at the hotel and are the perfect way to explore the island’s roughly 4km-long coastline.

As peaceful as the little island seems, it has a dark history. Once so secret it was removed from official maps, Okunoshima was the production site for chemical weapons, including mustard gas, before and during World War II. The gas has long since been destroyed, but you can learn about Okunoshima’s former function in the small on-site museum.

Okunoshima, Tadanoumicho, Takehara, Hiroshima prefecture. 15-min ferry ride from Tadanoumi port; ¥360, primary school students ¥180, free for younger children. See the schedule here.

Itsukushima, better known as Miyajima, meaning ‘shrine island’, is a popular tourist attraction in Hiroshima prefecture. The island is famous for the Unesco World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine and its massive red torii gate, standing partially submerged in water.

As soon as you get off the ferry, you’ll be welcomed by wild deer hoping for a little snack. You’re not allowed to feed them, though, so keep an eye on any loose food or even just paper you’re carrying, as the deer have been known to snatch things away. However, they’re used to humans and are not overly aggressive – you can even take a photo with them.

To avoid the crowds, spend a night at one of the island’s ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), and watch the deer sleep in the parks and on the pavement. Miyajima’s deer have been worshipped as messengers of the gods for hundreds of years and are strictly protected.

Miyajima, Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima prefecture. 10-min ferry ride from Miyajimaguchi port; ¥180, primary school children ¥90, free for younger children. See the schedule here.

The most famous place in Japan for watching wild deer is Nara Park. Encompassing the areas around Todaiji and Kofukuji temples as well as Kasugataisha Shrine, the entire park boasts a size of 660 hectares in which about 1,500 deer roam around freely. Nara’s deer are designated national treasures and protected by law. Unlike on Miyajima, at Nara Park, you’re encouraged to feed the deer with special crackers sold at local souvenir shops and booths. The crackers are made from wheat flour and rice bran, and part of the profit goes towards protecting the deer.

Nara Park, Zoshicho, Nara, Nara prefecture (Kintetsu Nara Station).