ANIMALS OF MIYAGI
Unique animal experiences found only in Miyagi
HEARTWARMING ENCOUNTERS
Miyagi is a great destination for animal lovers because it offers the chance to interact with a variety of free-roaming animals in their natural habitats. From feeding the deer on the holy Kinkasan Island to photographing the migratory birds that winter at Lake Izunuma-Uchinuma, these close encounters will warm your heart and add an unforgettable chapter to your travels in Japan.
Zao
Fox Village
Pet and feed foxes at this wildlife reserve
Established to study a parasite that affects canines in Siberia and East Asia, Zao Fox Village has become a popular sightseeing destination, drawing visitors from all over the world. Its highlight is the main enclosure that guests can enter and freely walk around, observing the foxes up close and even feeding them. There is also a petting area where visitors can hold some of the reserve’s most docile foxes.
Cat Island
Tashirojima
A small island where cats outnumber people
Manga Island
Adorable cat-shaped cabins and artwork by famous manga artists
The quaint and lovable cat island Tashirojima is home to a public campground with adorable cat-shaped cabins. The interior of the cabins are decorated in cat-themed artwork by famous manga artists like Ishinomori Shotaro. The campground overlooks the ocean and is a great spot for stargazing on clear nights. Better yet, the friendly “free-range” cats of the island often come by looking for food and affection.