Yushima (湯島), a 6.5KM-circumference island midway between Amakusa (Oyano) and Shimabara also known as “Discussion Island” (だんごうじま、「談合島」) as leaders of the Shimabara Rebellion often met there to strategize, is home to about 300 people (the vast majority over 70) and some 200 cats. Hence its nickname: Cat Island. The island is famous for octopi, which are really just cats with eight legs. A small ferry to Yushima departs from Oyano five times daily, Y600 O/W. (link: http://www.city.kamiamakusa.kumamoto.jp/q/aview/406/1585.html ). If visiting, bring kitty snacks to avoid catastrophe.
Kumanichi in its print version is publishing a series of Yushima cat-a-day photos taken over the course of a year in order to publicize “the drama of the cats’ lives and the warmth of the local people” and help feed your feline fix. The newspaper has also set up an Instagram page for those who can’t abide the purrrgatory of waiting for each issue - link below.
Remember, you can make a cat float - you just need two scoops of ice cream, root beer, and a cat. - William