We missed Ao Island, aka Cat Island, and that's a real shame for any cat lover. This charming little paradise off Ōzu City in Ehime Prefecture is where the cat population outnumbers humans by, like, 20 to 1. Imagine a place where you're more likely to bump into a friendly feline than another human, all set against the serene backdrop of the Japanese countryside.

A quick ferry hop from Nagahama Port would've landed us in this cat utopia, where the most pressing decision is which cat to pet first. It's the perfect escape for those looking to swap the city's chaos for the calming purrs of over 100 cats roaming free. Guess we'll just have to add this to our ever-growing list of "must-visit" spots for next time.