TASHIROJIMA, Japan — On a small island off Japan's northeastern coast, visitors make offerings at a shrine for unlikely local guardians: cats.
The “Neko Jinja,” or Cat Shrine, mythologizes cats as guardian angels of Tashirojima, where cats outnumber people.
Legend says the island used to be famous for sericulture and farmers would keep cats because they would chase away rats, protecting the silkworm cocoons from the rodents.
A cat walks across the altar at a cat shrine May 18 on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeastern Japan.
Hiro Komae, Associated Press
Felines a symbol of good luck
Fishermen on the island also traditionally believed that cats bring good luck, including large hauls of fish.
Another legend says fishermen used to watch the cats' behavior for tips on the coming weather before heading to sea.
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The islanders have long coexisted with the cats. One day, however, a fisherman accidentally injured a cat while working. Feeling sorry for the injury, the islanders built the shrine for cats.
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 March 11, 2011.
Tourists watch cats getting fed May 18 at a cafe on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
Hiro Komae, Associated Press
Cats outnumber humans
More than 100 cats inhabit Tashirojima, along with about 50 humans, according to the city's website.
Along a paved road running about 1.2 miles between the island's two ports, cats groom themselves and mingle with other cats.
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.
Tourists pet cats May 18 on a street on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A tourist pets a cat May 18 as other cats hang out at a shrine dedicated to the feline on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeastern Japan.
A cat sits May 18 in front of signs for a cafe and a cat shrine at Nitoda Port on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A cat grooms another May 18 as tourists rest at a cafe on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A cat walks in front of signs for a cafe and a cat shrine May 18 on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A cat grooms itself May 18 on a street on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
Tourists talk to a cat sitting on a street May 18 on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
Cats rest May 18 near a shrine dedicated to the feline on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A tourist takes photographs of cats May 18 at a restaurant at Nitoda Port on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
Tourists stand in line May 18 before boarding a ferry at Nitoda Port to leave Tashirojima island as a cat finds food in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A cat crouches May 18 by a cat-themed sign that reads, “Welcome to Tashirojima island,” near Odomari Port in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
Tourists pet cats May 18 on a street on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A tourist pets a cat May 18 as other cats hang out at a shrine dedicated to the feline on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeastern Japan.
A cat sits May 18 in front of signs for a cafe and a cat shrine at Nitoda Port on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A cat grooms another May 18 as tourists rest at a cafe on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A cat walks in front of signs for a cafe and a cat shrine May 18 on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A cat grooms itself May 18 on a street on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
Tourists talk to a cat sitting on a street May 18 on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
Cats rest May 18 near a shrine dedicated to the feline on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A tourist takes photographs of cats May 18 at a restaurant at Nitoda Port on Tashirojima island in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
Tourists stand in line May 18 before boarding a ferry at Nitoda Port to leave Tashirojima island as a cat finds food in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
A cat crouches May 18 by a cat-themed sign that reads, “Welcome to Tashirojima island,” near Odomari Port in Ishinomaki, northeast Japan.
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