{"id":74797,"date":"2021-03-18T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=74797"},"modified":"2022-08-26T14:33:53","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T05:33:53","slug":"manabeshima-cat-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/manabeshima-cat-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Manabeshima: The Island and the Setouchi Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <strong>island of Manabeshima<\/strong> (\u771f\u934b\u5cf6), in <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/tag\/okayama\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Okayama Prefecture<\/a> (\u5ca1\u5c71\u770c), is a place in Japan that I have dreamed of visiting for many years. This &#8220;island of cats,&#8221; whilst remaining relatively unknown, certainly doesn&#8217;t lack attractions. Situated <strong>in Japan&#8217;s inland sea<\/strong>, it is renowned for its relaxed way of life and the beauty of its landscape. The <strong>island&#8217;s two fishing villages are picturesque<\/strong>, and the beach is clean and well-maintained.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Setouchi region<\/strong> (\u702c\u6238\u5185\u5730\u65b9,&nbsp;<em>Setouchi-Chih\u00f4<\/em>) is made up of hundreds of islands, with the most famous being the <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inujima-setouchi-japan\/\" class=\"ek-link\">&#8220;artistic islands&#8221;<\/a> of <strong>Naoshima<\/strong> (\u76f4\u5cf6) and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/seto-inland-teshima-art\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Teshima<\/a><\/strong> (\u8c4a\u5cf6). Manabeshima, however, owes some of its fame to the <strong>illustrated travel tales by Florent Chavouet: <em>Manabeshima Island Japan<\/em><\/strong> (<a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.editions-picquier.com\/ouvrage\/manabeshima\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">published in French by Picquier in 2010<\/a> and <a aria-label=\"in English by Tuttle in 2015 (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tuttlepublishing.com\/books-by-country\/manabeshima-island-japan-paperback-with-flaps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">in English by Tuttle in 2015<\/a>). The author stayed there in summer 2009, and the story of his experience has inspired many travellers to discover the island of Manab\u00e9. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"toc\"><li><a href=\"#footsteps\" class=\"ek-link\">In the footsteps of Manab\u00e9 Shima by Florent Chavouet<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#cats\" class=\"ek-link\">The cats of Manabeshima<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#to-do\" class=\"ek-link\">What to do in Manabeshima<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#villages\" class=\"ek-link\">The fishing villages<\/a> of <a href=\"#honura\" class=\"ek-link\">Hon-ura<\/a> and <a href=\"#iwatsubo\" class=\"ek-link\">Iwatsubo<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#events\" class=\"ek-link\">Traditional events<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#activities\" class=\"ek-link\">Summer activities<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#encounter\" class=\"ek-link\">Unplanned encounter with a local resident<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#guide\" class=\"ek-link\">Practical guide<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#accommodation\" class=\"ek-link\">Accommodation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#restaurants\" class=\"ek-link\">Restaurants and where to eat<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#access\" class=\"ek-link\">Access and practical information<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"footsteps\">In the Footsteps of Manab\u00e9 Shima by Florent Chavouet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In July 2020, I found myself on a little boat that takes passengers between Kasaoka (\u7b20\u5ca1\u8af8\u5cf6,&nbsp;<em>Kasaoka Shot\u00f4<\/em>) and the surrounding islands when I recognised the koban (police box), featured in Florent Chavouet&#8217;s book, and it struck me that I was on Manabeshima.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195203\/livres-japon-manabeshima_01-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"the animated book by Florent Chavouet\" class=\"wp-image-75243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195203\/livres-japon-manabeshima_01-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195203\/livres-japon-manabeshima_01-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><figcaption><em>Manab\u00e9 Shima by Florent Chavouet, Philippe Picquier edition<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s not unusual to visit a place that we are already familiar with from photos that we&#8217;ve seen. But for me, it was the first time that <strong>I recognised a place solely from illustrations, <\/strong>and I must say that I found it a delightful experience. It surprised me that some of the buildings were so familiar, and I recognised many of the characters in the people that I met. But it was the detail that I enjoyed discovering the most; an insect brought to life in the book, for example. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through the delicate tone of the book, the reader can <strong>learn so much about the island of <em>Manab\u00e9 Shima<\/em>;<\/strong> whether it&#8217;s the history, the remarkable buildings, daily life, culture or the fauna and flora&#8230; visiting the island after reading the book is like having Florent Chavouet as your personal guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cats\">Manabeshima: Cat Island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>About a dozen islands in Japan have gained the title &#8220;island of cats&#8221;, such as Ainoshima in Fukuoka, <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/cat-island-oita-kyushu\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Fukashima in Oita, <\/a>and, of course, Manabeshima. Here, <strong>cats please themselves<\/strong> and certainly benefit from the few cars and an abundant supply of fresh fish.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195208\/manabeshima_chat_02-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"feeding the cats of Manabeshima,  a cat Island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195208\/manabeshima_chat_02-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195208\/manabeshima_chat_02-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195208\/manabeshima_chat_02-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Breakfast time for the cats of Manabeshima<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Accustomed to the wild cats of Kyoto (\u4eac\u90fd), the first few cats that I met were really charming. I had hardly called out to them before they were heading in my direction for a stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195243\/manabeshima_chat_11-1024x768-1.jpg\" alt=\"Clementina stroking a cat on Manabeshima, a cat Island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195243\/manabeshima_chat_11-1024x768-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195243\/manabeshima_chat_11-1024x768-1-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>The <em>omotenashi<\/em> of the cats in Manabeshima | Photograph: Tomoko Matsuo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>We met cats<\/strong> wherever we went on the island, but they mainly congregated around the port area. They weren&#8217;t all as affectionate; some were oblivious to the presence of humans while others watched from afar, curious and afraid. As we made our way through the streets, many of them would run off as soon as we got too close. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75245\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195212\/manabeshima_chat_03-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Tortoise shell cat in a traditional Japanese wooden temple on Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195212\/manabeshima_chat_03-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195212\/manabeshima_chat_03-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75246\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195216\/manabeshima_chat_04-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"a ginger cat looking over a wall Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195216\/manabeshima_chat_04-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195216\/manabeshima_chat_04-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"75247\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195220\/manabeshima_chat_05-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"a white and ginger perched on the sea wall Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195220\/manabeshima_chat_05-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195220\/manabeshima_chat_05-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195220\/manabeshima_chat_05-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75248\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195224\/manabeshima_chat_06-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"the fangs of a cat on Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195224\/manabeshima_chat_06-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195224\/manabeshima_chat_06-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75249\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195227\/manabeshima_chat_07-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Stroking various cats on the street on Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195227\/manabeshima_chat_07-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195227\/manabeshima_chat_07-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75250\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195232\/manabeshima_chat_08-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"cats looking at the camera in Manabeshima \" class=\"wp-image-75250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195232\/manabeshima_chat_08-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195232\/manabeshima_chat_08-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"75251\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195235\/manabeshima_chat_09-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"Cats on the wall in the port on Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195235\/manabeshima_chat_09-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195235\/manabeshima_chat_09-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195235\/manabeshima_chat_09-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"75252\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195239\/manabeshima_chat_10-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"A cat looking sleepy on Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195239\/manabeshima_chat_10-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195239\/manabeshima_chat_10-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195239\/manabeshima_chat_10-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Some of the cats in Manabeshima<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While some are timid, <strong>they are far from being house cats,<\/strong> and it&#8217;s clear to see the effects of life on the street. Therefore, <strong>you should approach them softly<\/strong>, allow them to sniff your hand before touching them and certainly don&#8217;t stroke them aggressively or try to pick them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those who love islands, the Seto Inland Sea and animals, I would recommend a visit to <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/rabbit-island-hiroshima\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Okunoshima Rabbit Island<\/a>, which I have also been fortunate enough to visit on a previous trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"to-do\">What To Do and See on Manabeshima Cat Island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Manabeshima is much more than an island of cats and there is so much to discover throughout its 1.48 km<sup>2<\/sup> that a single day is not enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"villages\">Picturesque Walk Around The Two Fishing Villages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though the island is small, it has two villages: Hon-ura (\u672c\u6d66) and Iwatsubo (\u5ca9\u576a). These two <strong>fishing villages<\/strong> are characterised by <strong>narrow, winding streets<\/strong> and old buildings, as is often the case in Japan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What makes the streets of Manabeshima so photogenic are the <strong>numerous abandoned buildings<\/strong>. In the 1970s, there were more than 1,000 inhabitants on the island, compared to about 200 today, making the island a popular spot for Haikyo amateur photographers (\u5ec3\u589f &#8216;Haikyo&#8217; is the Japanese version of Urbex where people often explore derelict spaces).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"honura\">Hon-ura: The Heart of the Island<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Hon-ura is the <strong>biggest of the two villages on Manabeshima,<\/strong> and it&#8217;s where you will find the port and the primary school, college and the majority of businesses and public services. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195304\/manabeshima-honmura-01-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"The harbour in Manabeshima\" class=\"wp-image-75258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195304\/manabeshima-honmura-01-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195304\/manabeshima-honmura-01-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195304\/manabeshima-honmura-01-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>View of Hon-ura village and the port from the road to Iwatsubo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The port is where you can watch the inhabitants, both feline and human, going about their business. <strong>Island life is timed by the <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kasaoka-kankou.jp\/en\/access\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">ferry schedule<\/a>,<\/strong> with the first one departing at 8:09 am and the last at 5:28 pm and making a total of 8 round trips each day. The road, which passes in front of the wharf, is where island life plays out and is very much &#8216;the place to be&#8217; on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75260\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195311\/manabeshima-honmura-03-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Two cats on a street on manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195311\/manabeshima-honmura-03-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195311\/manabeshima-honmura-03-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75259\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195307\/manabeshima-honmura-02-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"A jetty leading to boats from manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195307\/manabeshima-honmura-02-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195307\/manabeshima-honmura-02-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Venturing into the streets towards the centre of the island, you quickly find yourself in a <strong>narrow, winding maze<\/strong> lined with houses \u2014 often abandoned \u2014 and complete with <strong>vegetable patches<\/strong>. Here, each inhabitant grows their own vegetables, and you begin to understand that only the bare essentials exist on the island. But the inhabitants certainly benefit from fertile soil and an ocean that&#8217;s rich in fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75263\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195324\/manabeshima-honmura-06-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"An alleyway\" class=\"wp-image-75263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195324\/manabeshima-honmura-06-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195324\/manabeshima-honmura-06-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75262\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195320\/manabeshima-honmura-05-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Rooftops\" class=\"wp-image-75262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195320\/manabeshima-honmura-05-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195320\/manabeshima-honmura-05-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75261\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195315\/manabeshima-honmura-04-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"A residential street with a tree\" class=\"wp-image-75261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195315\/manabeshima-honmura-04-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195315\/manabeshima-honmura-04-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Picturesque streets of Hon-ura village in Manabeshima <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75265\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195334\/manabeshima-honmura-08-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"onions drying\" class=\"wp-image-75265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195334\/manabeshima-honmura-08-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195334\/manabeshima-honmura-08-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75264\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195329\/manabeshima-honmura-07-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"vegetable garden\" class=\"wp-image-75264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195329\/manabeshima-honmura-07-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195329\/manabeshima-honmura-07-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Here, nearly everyone seems to grow their own vegetables<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75268\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195348\/manabeshima-honmura-11-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Foliage in Manabeshima\" class=\"wp-image-75268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195348\/manabeshima-honmura-11-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195348\/manabeshima-honmura-11-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75266\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195339\/manabeshima-honmura-09-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Abandoned building\" class=\"wp-image-75266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195339\/manabeshima-honmura-09-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195339\/manabeshima-honmura-09-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75267\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195343\/manabeshima-honmura-10-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Abandoned building\" class=\"wp-image-75267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195343\/manabeshima-honmura-10-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195343\/manabeshima-honmura-10-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">There are several abandoned buildings, such as this former karaoke bar (centre)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don&#8217;t mind the walk, it would be a shame to miss <strong>Manabeshima College<\/strong> (\u7b20\u5ca1\u5e02\u7acb\u771f\u934b\u4e2d\u5b66\u6821,&nbsp;<em>Kasaoka Shiritsu Manabe Chugakko<\/em>). This wooden building, built in 1947, is representative of Japanese school architecture from that era, with a large corridor lined with windows on one side and classrooms on the other (many modern buildings still adopt this type of layout). The atmosphere is wonderfully nostalgic, and part of me envied the school children who studied here, with a view of the ocean and small crabs, part and parcel of island life, to watch during their recess. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75271\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195401\/manabeshima-honmura-14-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Inside an old school\" class=\"wp-image-75271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195401\/manabeshima-honmura-14-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195401\/manabeshima-honmura-14-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75270\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195356\/manabeshima-honmura-13-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Outside an old school\" class=\"wp-image-75270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195356\/manabeshima-honmura-13-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195356\/manabeshima-honmura-13-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"75269\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195352\/manabeshima-honmura-12-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"View over the rooftops\" class=\"wp-image-75269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195352\/manabeshima-honmura-12-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195352\/manabeshima-honmura-12-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195352\/manabeshima-honmura-12-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Manabeshima College, a historic building which overlooks the island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The other notable building in Hon-ura is <strong>Enpukuji Buddhist temple<\/strong> (\u5186\u798f\u5bfa), founded in 795 by the monk <a aria-label=\"Kobo Daishi (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/K%C5%ABkai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\">Kobo Daishi<\/a>. It is situated overlooking the fishing village, offering an impressive view of the surrounding roofs. Even though its size may seem relatively modest, after exploring the narrow streets of the villages, the temple walls take your breath away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"75272\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195405\/manabeshima-honmura-15-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"the entrance to a temple complex\" class=\"wp-image-75272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195405\/manabeshima-honmura-15-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195405\/manabeshima-honmura-15-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195405\/manabeshima-honmura-15-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"75273\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195409\/manabeshima-honmura-16-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"a Buddha made of stone\" class=\"wp-image-75273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195409\/manabeshima-honmura-16-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195409\/manabeshima-honmura-16-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195409\/manabeshima-honmura-16-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Enpukuki Temple perched high above the island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"iwatsubo\">Iwatsubo: From the Port to the Steep Streets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Situated about 10 minutes walk from Hon-ura via the only road on the island, <strong>Iwatsubo<\/strong> has a charm of its own, particularly because it&#8217;s <strong>built into the side of a hill<\/strong>. Its streets are not only narrow but also steep, which makes them all the more photogenic. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195413\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-01-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"the harbour in Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75274\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195413\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-01-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195413\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-01-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195413\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-01-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>View of Iwatsubo Port on the island of Manabe<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Certain slopes are so straight that climbing them requires considerable effort and a large amount of care on the steep journey down, especially in the heat of summer. Despite numerous handrails installed, <strong>I asked myself how elderly residents on the island get by without too much difficulty<\/strong>. There are two responses to that question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75275\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195417\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-02-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"A man walking down an alleyway\" class=\"wp-image-75275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195417\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-02-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195417\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-02-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75276\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195421\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-03-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"the back of a stone statue\" class=\"wp-image-75276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195421\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-03-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195421\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-03-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75277\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195425\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-04-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"rooftops overlooking the ocean\" class=\"wp-image-75277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195425\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-04-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195425\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-04-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, the routine of keeping active daily constitutes towards maintaining a surprisingly good body. But the second thing only became apparent at the base of the street when it passed by me at relatively high speed. It was a powerful mini car for just one person, which ferried people through the allies. The older woman who rode it would effectively be able to return home without too much trouble! I don&#8217;t have any official statistics, but it&#8217;s probably the most widely-used vehicle on Manabeshima and invaluable in helping the elderly to maintain their independence. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195436\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-05-681x1024-2.jpg\" alt=\"Steep residential street  on Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195436\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-05-681x1024-2.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195436\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-05-681x1024-2-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><figcaption>A street in Iwatsubo village, Manabeshima<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Just as Hon-ura has its Buddhist temple, Iwatsubo has <strong>Hachiman-jinja<\/strong> (\u516b\u5e61\u795e\u793e) <strong>Shinto sanctuary,<\/strong> which is also situated high up, but unlike the unobstructed view of the Hon-ura Buddhist temple, the sanctuary is <strong>surrounded by trees<\/strong>. There are two entrances, both situated a few metres apart, along the main road. Each entrance is formed by a long walkway of steps covered by <em>torii<\/em> gates and stone lanterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75281\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195446\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-07-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"stone steps overgrown with foliage\" class=\"wp-image-75281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195446\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-07-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195446\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-07-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75282\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195453\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-08-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"stone lion\" class=\"wp-image-75282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195453\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-08-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195453\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-08-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"75280\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195442\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-06-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"torii gate with stone lanterns\" class=\"wp-image-75280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195442\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-06-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195442\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-06-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195442\/manabeshima-iwatsubo-06-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Hachiman sanctuary in Manabeshima is nestled amongst thick nature<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Climbing the uneven steps, where vegetation seems to have taken over in some places, feels so adventurous as you watch for snakes and giant insects on the way. It took me back to my childhood when I used to imagine myself as a young explorer who discovered a secret sanctuary deep within a treacherous forest. In reality, it takes just a few minutes to reach the buildings, and the village is close by, but this sanctuary certainly has <strong>powerful energy<\/strong> around it. When I finally rejoined the road, I was disorientated and felt as though I had been dreaming of a parallel universe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"events\">Traditional Japanese Events which give Rythme to Life in Manabeshima<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Local life on the island is centred around a range of traditional and religious events. The main ones are the Hashiri Mikoshi (\u8d70\u308a\u795e\u8f3f) festival in May and the Kagura (\u795e\u697d) rituals in July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Hashiri Mikoshi Festival<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The busiest event of the year in Manabeshima takes places during &#8220;Golden Week&#8221; at the start of May in the Hachiman sanctuary. The Hashiri Mikoshi (\u8d70\u308a\u795e\u8f3f) is a <strong>Shinto festival where three portable shrines are paraded around the island<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"\u771f\u934b\u5cf6\u306e\u8d70\u308a\u795e\u8f3f\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RLzkYRzqEJA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The festival also features lion dances and ritualised fighting. One of the <em>mikoshi<\/em> (\u795e\u8f3f portable shrines) is even transported on a decorated fishing boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kojin Kagura: Ritual Dance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Another <strong>event that&#8217;s firmly rooted in Shinto culture<\/strong> takes place each July on Manabeshima. A dance troop performs representations of the Kagura, ritual dance, which is said to leave a mythical atmosphere in its wake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BW4dmNhFV4x\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BW4dmNhFV4x\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BW4dmNhFV4x\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by \u771f\u934b\u5cf6 Manabe_island Official \u732b\u5cf6 (@manabeshima)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find out about upcoming dates on <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/kagurakitayama.com\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">the Kagura Kitayama website<\/a> (only in Japanese).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"activities\">Take Advantage of Summer Activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our stay on the island was too short, and we certainly wanted to explore more. However, we decided to spend our time in the villages rather than on the beach. On the opposite side of the port, the <strong>beach hosts several summer activities,<\/strong> and many people enjoy whizzing between the different islands on jet skis!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BmixZBmBMda\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BmixZBmBMda\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BmixZBmBMda\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by \u77f3\u5ddd \u5149\u592a\u90ce (@koutaro68)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>If you wish to explore Manabeshima from the beach, the best thing is to book a room at Santora, accessible from the path that crosses the island, water taxi or indeed jet ski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"guide\">Practical Guide to Manabeshima<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s not necessary to plan your trip in detail before you arrive as the pleasure of visiting a place such as this is <strong>exploring at whim<\/strong> and seeing where you end up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, I would advise you to <strong>research accommodation and dining options before your visit<\/strong>. Given the small number of inhabitants and the distance to the mainland, you won&#8217;t find souvenir shops, an extensive choice of restaurants or <em>Konbini<\/em> (convenience store) \u2014 however, fear not, you will find several vending machines! We are in Japan, after all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"accommodation\">Where to Stay on the Manabeshima Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You don&#8217;t have a wide choice of accommodation options available and, with only around four to choose from, it is highly recommended that you book in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Santora: A Traditional Japanese Inn on the Beach<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Santora<\/strong> (\u5cf6\u5bbf\u4e09\u864e), which readers of <em>Manab\u00e9 Shima<\/em> will recognise as the place where Florent Chavouet stayed during his trip, is the <strong>only hotel on the island<\/strong>. This <em>ryokan<\/em> is situated literally on the beach and offers rooms with either futons or beds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01121243\/manabeshima-santora-hotel-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"view from the beach of Santora on Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-83643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01121243\/manabeshima-santora-hotel-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01121243\/manabeshima-santora-hotel-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01121243\/manabeshima-santora-hotel-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01121243\/manabeshima-santora-hotel.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Santora ryokan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rate: between 11,000 JPY and 21,000 JPY per person per night, including dinner and breakfast. <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/santora.biz\/index_en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">More information is available on the Santora website<\/a> (available in English).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Zenta Suite: An Private House at the Port<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>We stayed at <strong>Zenta Suite, a private house in the port area<\/strong>. The entire house can be reserved, so you benefit from your own private view of the ocean. Even though you don&#8217;t have access to the kitchen, the hosts offer a meal plan which includes dinner and breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75283\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195458\/manabeshima-logement-01-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"wooden building\" class=\"wp-image-75283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195458\/manabeshima-logement-01-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195458\/manabeshima-logement-01-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75284\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195503\/manabeshima-logement-02-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Futons folded up\" class=\"wp-image-75284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195503\/manabeshima-logement-02-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195503\/manabeshima-logement-02-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"75285\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195507\/manabeshima-logement-03-1024x768-1.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese lunch in Manabeshima\" class=\"wp-image-75285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195507\/manabeshima-logement-03-1024x768-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195507\/manabeshima-logement-03-1024x768-1-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Zenta Suite, a unique location for a holiday in Manab\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rate: between 4,500 JPY and 5,300 JPY per person per night. Dinner and breakfast are an additional 3,000 JPY and 1,000 JPY per person. <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/manabeshima.info\/conc\/zentasuite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\">More information is available on the Manabeshima website<\/a> (in Japanese).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inn The Camp: A Hostel with a Camping Feel<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The owners of Zenta Suite, Tamiko and Shinichiro, also manage <strong>Inn the Camp Hostel<\/strong> in the heart of Hon-ura. A <strong>serviced dormitory with a campsite feel is the best option if you are on a limited budget or <\/strong>have a particular passion for staying in this type of accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01121317\/manabeshima-inn-the-camp-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"Inside a dormitory with futon mattresses on Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-83644\" width=\"840\" height=\"558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01121317\/manabeshima-inn-the-camp-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01121317\/manabeshima-inn-the-camp-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01121317\/manabeshima-inn-the-camp.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption>Dormitory at Inn the Camp hostel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rate: 3,500 JPY per person per night. Dinner is an additional 3,000 JPY per person. <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/manabeshima.info\/conc\/innthecamp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">More information is available on the Manabeshima website<\/a> (in Japanese).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ryoka: An Inn Restaurant in Hon-ura<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don&#8217;t manage to find anywhere to stay at any other of the places mentioned, a final option is to book a room at Ryoka (\u6f01\u706b), a <strong>no-frills inn<\/strong> situated in Hon-ura. This option will be <strong>ideal if you are travelling in a group or a family<\/strong> as you also have access to the kitchen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rate: 12,000 JPY for two people per night, 5,000 JPY for each additional person. Dinner is an additional 5,000 JPY per person but if you are eating on-site, the nightly rate is reduced to 10,000 JPY for two people per night and 4,000 JPY for each additional person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reservations can only be made by telephone on 0865-68-3519.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"restaurants\">Where To Eat in Manabeshima<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The simplest option is to <strong>stay the night at a place that includes dinner and breakfast.<\/strong> That will also give you the chance to taste some of the fresh local produce such as fish, shellfish and other types of seafood without having to worry about where to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Seafood of Manab\u00e9: Funade and Ryoka<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Funade<\/strong> (<strong>\u8239\u51fa<\/strong>) mainly serves the <strong>day&#8217;s catch<\/strong> alongside other cooked dishes, udon and ramen. It sometimes opens in the evening, but you must book in advance and check that the number of customers justifies the restaurant opening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rate: allow between 1,500 JPY and 3,000 JPY for a fish dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The opening days vary and reservation is advised by calling 0865-68-3900.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ryoka<\/strong> (\u6f01\u706b) is both a seafood restaurant and inn. It only opens by reservation and the menu starts from 5,000 JPY. Reservation can be made by telephone on 0865-68-3519.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Motoe Cafe: Curry and Cheesecake in a Modern Setting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>For lunch, there is a bit more choice, notably <strong>Motoe Cafe (\u30e2\u30c8\u30a8\u30ab\u30d5\u30a7<\/strong>), which <strong>only serves curry and cheesecake<\/strong>. It is situated in the same building as Inn the Camp hostel and is another creation from Tamiko and Shinichiro, who set about revitalising the island. The decor is modern, pleasant and, even though I did not try the curry, I would advise you to try their cheesecake as it&#8217;s one of the best that I&#8217;ve had!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-12 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75286\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195512\/manabeshima-restaurant-01-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Inside a cafe in Manabeshima\" class=\"wp-image-75286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195512\/manabeshima-restaurant-01-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195512\/manabeshima-restaurant-01-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"75287\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195516\/manabeshima-restaurant-02-681x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Cheesecake\" class=\"wp-image-75287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195516\/manabeshima-restaurant-02-681x1024-1.jpg 681w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195516\/manabeshima-restaurant-02-681x1024-1-333x500.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Motoe Cafe and their delicious cheesecake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rate: lunch menu &#8211; 1,080 JPY \/ cheesecake and hot drink &#8211; 580 JPY \/ coffee &#8211; 380 JPY. <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/manabeshima.info\/conc\/motoecafe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">More information is available on the Manabeshima website<\/a> (in Japanese). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another cafe, \u30aa\u30fc\u30bf\u30cb (Otani), is located in Iwatsubo village but the opening hours vary and it was closed during our visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Limited Options, Especially for Vegetarians<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are vegetarian or vegan, I would advise you to <strong>ensure that you have your own food<\/strong> with you in case you cannot find anything suitable as many dishes use seafood as a base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"encounter\">Unexpected Meeting with a Local Resident<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During our visit, we only booked bed and breakfast for one night so that we could have dinner in a restaurant in the evening. Even though it was a Saturday night in July, Funade restaurant would not open for just the two of us so we went in search of a grocery store and we managed to find one that sold cup noodles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We did not realise it at the time, but this would turn out to be <strong>one of the most memorable moments of our trip<\/strong> to the island. The grocery store owner quickly understood the situation and was delighted to make new friends, so offered to cook us something. A little surprised but also pleased, we accepted his invitation and entered the kitchen attached to his shop. In between serving customers in the shop, the owner <strong>lit the oven and began preparing several impressive fish and shellfish dishes for us<\/strong> to try. There was octopus sashimi (raw octopus), crab, tiny fried fishes, simmered fish, to name just a few, and it turned out to be a true feast, coming entirely from the waters around Manabeshima!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-13 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"75255\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195252\/manabeshima-accueil-02-1024x768-1.jpg\" alt=\"Clementine with a local resident\" class=\"wp-image-75255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195252\/manabeshima-accueil-02-1024x768-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195252\/manabeshima-accueil-02-1024x768-1-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>With Mineguchi-san, our unexpected host | Photograph: Tomoko Matsuo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" data-id=\"75254\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195247\/manabeshima-accueil-01-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"Fresh fish dish\" class=\"wp-image-75254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195247\/manabeshima-accueil-01-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195247\/manabeshima-accueil-01-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195247\/manabeshima-accueil-01-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Mineguchi-san prepared local fish dishes for us<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We discussed various things during our meal, such as the way of life and history of the island. Our host, <strong>native to Manabeshima,<\/strong> remembered a time when more than 1,000 people were living on the island and when the economy was based on chrysanthemums. Manab\u00e9 used to be covered in fields of flowers which shone during the night. Since then, the fields have disappeared and been replaced by lush vegetation, gradually taking over the island and <strong>forcing the inhabitants to look for work elsewhere<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195256\/manabeshima-accueil-03-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"A crab on the sea wall on Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195256\/manabeshima-accueil-03-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195256\/manabeshima-accueil-03-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195256\/manabeshima-accueil-03-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Manabeshima, as well as being an island of cats, is also an island of crabs<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Despite the arrival of some who come looking for a new life, today the island&#8217;s population is little more than <strong>200 people<\/strong>. Many make a living from tending to private gardens or fishing. <strong>The cats and the abandoned houses are a favourite of visitors and photographers alike. But for the island&#8217;s long term residents, the demographic and economic decline is heartbreaking. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"access\">How to Get to Manabeshima<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is interesting to combine a visit to Manabeshima with <strong>any trip to the Setouchi region<\/strong>. You can visit other islands of Kasaoka, discover <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/bikan-historical-quarter-kurashiki\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Kurashiki<\/a> (\u5009\u6577), <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/okayama-castle-japan\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Okayama<\/a> (\u5ca1\u5c71), <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/tomonoura-port-city\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Tomonoura<\/a> (\u9786\u306e\u6d66), <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/onomichi-setouchi-hiroshima\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Onomichi<\/a> (\u5c3e\u9053) and of course <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/perfect-day-hiroshima\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Hiroshima<\/a> (\u5e83\u5cf6) and <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/miyajima-culture-food-deer\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Miyajima<\/a> (\u5bae\u5cf6). If you haven&#8217;t got the time to explore the region, you can also make a one-night excursion or even a day trip from the cities of Osaka and Kyoto. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195259\/manabeshima-depart-01-1024x681-1.jpg\" alt=\"Two local residents waving from Manabeshima, a cat island in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-75257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195259\/manabeshima-depart-01-1024x681-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195259\/manabeshima-depart-01-1024x681-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/06195259\/manabeshima-depart-01-1024x681-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>A farewell from Tamiko and Shinichiro as the boat departs<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>From the port of Kasaoka<\/strong> (\u7b20\u5ca1\u6e2f), there are 8 return crossings a day to Manabeshima which also stop at the islands of Takashima (\u9ad8\u5cf6), Shiraishijima (\u767d\u77f3\u5cf6) and Kitagishima (\u5317\u6728\u5cf6). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It would be best to allow 1 hour 15 minutes and 1,040 JPY for the normal crossing and 45 minutes and 1,790 JPY for the express service. Information, timetables and tariffs are available on <a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kasaoka-kankou.jp\/en\/access\/ship\/#ship01\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">the Kasaoka Tourist Office website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kasaoka is on the JR train lines <\/strong>and you should allow 40 minutes to get there from the <strong>Shinkansen station in Okayama<\/strong>. The high speed &#8220;bullet&#8221; train from Tokyo (\u6771\u4eac\u99c5) to Okayama takes 3 hours and 30 minutes and 50 minutes from Shin-Osaka station (\u65b0\u5927\u962a\u99c5). There is more information on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kasaoka-kankou.jp\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Kasaoka tourist office website<\/a> (in English).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=141HBX37c6bNAHhjRWEVOG4ihToi54CDk&amp;hl=en\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Come to Manabeshima<\/strong> to have something to eat or drink a coffee, as it is the best way to <strong>support the local economy<\/strong>. While small communities can sometimes be harmed by over-tourism, <strong>the cat island of Manabeshima remains a less-traveled destination<\/strong> <strong>where visitors are warmly welcomed by local felines and humans alike<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Translated by Mark Webster<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The island of Manabeshima (\u771f\u934b\u5cf6), in Okayama Prefecture (\u5ca1\u5c71\u770c), is a place in Japan that I have dreamed of visiting&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":78800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":14,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,1414,23],"tags":[1345,1341,1382,1339,1338,1292,1383],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Manabeshima Cat Island: Top Things to See, Do &amp; Places to Stay<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Manabeshima in Okayama prefecture, famed for being one of Japan&#039;s Cat Islands, is also home to incredible sceneries and local island life.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/manabeshima-cat-island\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Manabeshima Cat Island: Top Things to See, Do &amp; Places to Stay\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Manabeshima in Okayama prefecture, famed for being one of Japan&#039;s Cat Islands, is also home to incredible sceneries and local island life.\" \/>\n<meta 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