Started to plan for your travel and is looking for a memorable travel experience this year?
This year, our Pets Station team wishes to offer some perspectives for our cat loving audience. The places-to-go list includes cities that will experience a lifestyle where cats are woven into the city fabric, a straight from the movie kind of magical realism, and a unique shopping experience by the furry working-class heroes, and more. Below you will find out how our feline friends help shape each distinct culture. We also have some travel tips so you can plan for your purr-fect trip in 2026.
Istanbul, Türkiye
Needless to say, this historical city falls to the top of the list for being one of the most cat friendly cities in the world. Dated back to the Ottoman Empire era, cats have been viewed as clean in the tradition. Until today, this feline community has populated to over a hundred thousand and it is to no objection that they are the ambassadors of the city. Unlike cats straying in any streets, they are indeed well taken care of by the local. You can see feeding stations and shelters along the streets. Instead of house pet, these Istanbul kitties are respected as individuals being given their own freedom. That is why you can them roaming freely everywhere, napping, sunbathing under the sun, entering shops and even mosques.
Travel Tips:
Whether you are climbing the steep steps or strolling along the Bosphorus promenad, be expected to meet some of theses cat ambassadors. If unsure, we recommend you to go straight to the Beyoğlu district, enter one of the alleyways and you will surely meet some kitties there. You can also go to the Cihangir area to see some colorful and hearty cat houses built by the locals.
We recommend to visit in April to May during spring when the weather is warm so cats are actively out in force. It is easy to take public transportation like tram and ferries. Just remember to carry some comfy and supportive shoes to explore this hilly and cobblestoned topography.
Tashirojima, Japan
Just like the Cat Kingdom described in the Ghibili movie the Cat Returns, in Japan there are some “nekojima” (cat islands) where cat rules. Tashirojima is a whimsical small island located in Miyagi Prefecture where cats outnumber people. This island once used to be silkworm farms that relied on cats to control pests, now this fantasy land is ruled by cats. On this island, apart from getting yourself overwhelmed with cats, you can also enjoy the slow paced rural life with a tranquil landscape of fishing huts and rocks.
Travel Tips:
Apart from getting yourself ready to be overloaded by cutness, also prepare your most comfortable shoes for walking around the island. Cats are fed regularly by locals, to avoid overfeeding, feeding cats is prohibited on Tashirojima. Instead, visit Shima-no-Eki (Island Station) around noon where you can see cats having their feasts while you also grab yourself some lunch and souvenir.
To get there, got to Ishinomaki JR, then get to the Ajishima Line Central (Chuou) Port terminal to take a 40 minute ferry to Tashirojima. The ferry normally operates 3 times a day from morning to mid-afternoon. You can visit the island as a day trip. If you are travelling between April to October, you may also consider lodge a night in the cat-shaped houses by Manga Island to enjoy the serenity of the island.
Hong Kong
[Insert Working Cat MEME]
While been ranked as one of the most overworked cities in the world, do you know that behind this fast-paced Asian city, many of our feline friends also got themselves a job in Hong Kong? You will be surprised by the unique shop cat culture thriving among the dense neighbourhoods and compact streets. For years, many local businesses in Hong Kong like dried seafood and rice shops keep “Tong Mau” (domestic mixed breed) against mice. These whiskers assitants have rooted and out-performed their job and many become family to the shop. Nowadays, you can easily see them running different businesses.
Travel Tips:
Keep your eyes peeled when visiting, while cats may be easily spotted by the storefront, some could be taking a nap on top of a stack of goods, some may even be on a patrol to next store. While most cats are welcoming and friendly, some of our feline ambassadors may have a little catitude and not have the best customer service. Also, before patting and taking pictures, please respect the rules by each shop owner.
Beware of the shops opening hours, otherwise you can visit them all year long. You can hop on MTR to travel across different local neighborhoods like Sheung Wan, Mongkok and Yuen Long to experience the shop cat culture.
Conclusion
From Istanbul’s feline neighbor to Hong Kong’ shop ambassadors, there are different ways that cats coexist with humans. Being part of the community, they are deeply integrated into the city fabric shaping both the daily life and culture of the places. Travel to with curiosity and respect, these places will make for some of the most memorable travel moments in 2026.
We will be sharing more cities that you must go in our Part 2. Stay tuned!