The island where it's reigning cats...

Originally introduced to the mile-long island of Aoshima to deal with mice that plagued fishermen's boats, the cats stayed on - and multiplied.

More than 120 cats swarm the island with only a handful of humans for company - mostly pensioners who didn't join the waves of migrants seeking work in the cities on mainland Japan after the Second World War.

With no restaurants, cars, shops or kiosks selling snacks, Aoshima is no tourist haven. But cat lovers are not complaining.

'There is a ton of cats here, then there was this sort of cat witch who came out to feed the cats which was quite fun,' said 27-year-old Makiko Yamasaki. 'So I'd want to come again.' 

(dailymail.co.uk)