A Cat's-Eye View of Japan Season 2, Episode 4: Niigata: Rice Town

1

Shimane: Myths and Crafts of Izumo

Visit Izumo, Shimane, the setting of several Japanese myths, to meet a mischievous kitty living on a farm near Hii River. Then head to a pottery factory to see a blue-eyed cat hard at work.

5 min

2

Shimane: Pure Water and Tradition

Follow a kitty around a World Heritage Site! At a 125-year-old sake brewery, a patrol kitty makes his rounds before relaxing in the adjacent garden next to a lovely fresh water pond.

5 min

3

Seto Inland Sea: Two Cat Islands

Visit two cat islands in Japan's Seto Inland Sea. The kitties on Ao Island outnumber humans. Watch them catch fish on the rocks! Join more kitties on Ogi Island for some sun time on a roof.

5 min

4

Niigata: Rice Town

What's it like living with cats in rice-producing Niigata? See kitty beds made of straw from beautiful green rice paddies, and enjoy snacks with another kitty at a candy shop.

5 min

5

Hokkaido: Spring in Furano

Enjoy the coming of spring in northern Hokkaido Prefecture with happy kitties. Visit an art gallery occupied by 11 cats, and do some evening yoga with a kitty at a lodge.

5 min

6

Hiroshima: A Scoop of Happiness

Stroll around a World Heritage Site with an island kitty. Then, get your favorite saying written on a lucky rice scoop before playing with kitties in the historical town of Takehara.

5 min

7

Osaka: Fighting Kitties

Kitties are always fighting in an otherwise quiet ally in downtown Osaka. You can even spar a brave kitty at a local boxing gym!

5 min

8

Yamaguchi: Mother & Child

Kitties work year-round to keep tiger pufferfish from being snatched up by hungry herons! Myojin Pond is a famous place to see kitties—we dare you not to laugh at the kitty napping inside the shrine!

5 min

9

Kanagawa: Hospitality in Hakone

Enjoy a warm kitty-welcome at the famous hot spring area! After visiting a popular cat duo at a ropeway station, stop by at a restaurant run by a kitty and its owner where you can also bathe.

5 min

10

Ehime: Nature's Blessings

Kitties love hanging out by the seaside in Ehime Prefecture's pleasant, warm climate. See a kitty making rounds at an orange farm before finding some beautiful autumn foliage with the help of a kitty-guide.

5 min

11

Miyagi: Guardian Kitties

Kitty finds an intruder at a contemporary art museum—will we have a winner? Join another kitty at a traditional crafts workshop lovingly watching its owner's craftsmanship.

5 min

12

Toyama: Thriving Kitties

Kitties thrive at this town! Enjoy cruising on a boat with a vice-captain kitty, and join a sake shop kitty who loves to go on walks. Wooden cat sculptures are spread across town—can you spot them?

5 min

13

Tokyo: Tama for Healing

Discover the nature-rich side of Tokyo. Kitties' favorite spots include: a small shrine in a forest, a box bed at a horseback riding club, and the top of their owners' beloved cars!

5 min

14

Okinawa: Taketomi Island Adventures

Visit the southern island paradise, Taketomi Island, where kitties enjoy climbing great heights! How will they get home once the tide comes in?!

5 min

15

Kanagawa: Miura Sea Breeze

One kitty waits near a fisherman for a treat while another helps radish farmers keep pests out of their fields. Get top-notch kitty customer service at a pet fish shop!

5 min

16

Ise-Shima: Cats and Pearls

Patrol a pearl farm with a kitty named Pisuke, then meet a pearl shop cat that's got a special talent! Seeing happy kitties enjoy fresh seafood will warm your heart!

5 min

17

Kobe: To Love and Be Loved

In the Western-influenced port town of Kobe, a kitty seeks attention while its owner makes shoes at a custom shop. You'll meet a popular shopping district kitty that has its own designer T-shirt!

5 min

18

Tokyo: Kagurazaka - A Traditional Performing Arts Town

In Tokyo's romantic Kagurazaka district, watch Noh rehearsals with a kitty named Torakichi. Then, follow an alley cat to a popular coffee shop before enjoying geisha shamisen performances after dark.

5 min

19

Kyoto: Enjoying a Hot Summer

On a hot summer's day, a kitty leads us to traditional food near a local shrine. Get cool in a maiko's home with another kitty before enjoying sparklers at night.

5 min

20

Kumamoto: Happy Living in Amakusa

Amakusa is home to many islands of all sizes. See a kitty get fed fish on an island of 230 cats. Then, visit Sakitsu Church—a UNESCO and kitty site—before heading to a local sushi shop.

5 min

21

Saitama: Kitty Hospitality in Kawagoe

On a historical street in Kawagoe, join a kitty for breakfast in front of a ramen restaurant. Also see hospitable kitties hard at work greeting tourists at local shops!

5 min

22

Kochi: Kitties & Dried Bonito in Tosashimizu

See a kitty hard at work guarding a local specialty, dried bonito! Visit a restaurant that uses the ingredient in its curries, then head to the coast with kitty BFFs.

5 min

23

Hokkaido: Kushiro Kitty Guides

Our first kitty-guided tour is of the scenic Lake Kussharo. Another kitty guides us around sacred spots within a village of the indigenous Ainu people.

5 min