Seasons & episodes
S1 · E87Boso and Chiba 2020-10-27 · 59 min
This time, animal photographer Iwago Mitsuaki heads to Boso in Chiba Prefecture. First, he encounters a unique black cat on the coast facing Tokyo Bay. It took up residence about a year ago and was named for its behavior. There are two cats at Kazusa-Ushiku Station. They pop in and out of the stationmaster's office, greet passengers on the platform, and Iwago is amazed at how professional-level they are at petting the cats. He then discovers a calico cat leisurely patrolling among the rice terraces in the mountains. He also photographs cats living in an old house and cats in a pear orchard after the harvest.
S1 · E88Miura Peninsula 2020-11-24 · 59 min
The setting for this journey in search of encounters with wonderful cats is the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture. First, on the rocks of Jogashima, we meet a gentle male cat named Ito who has called the area his territory for over 10 years. The Miura Peninsula is also known as a vegetable producing area, and when we visit a radish farm, we come across a cat who brings comfort to the family. Yokosuka is the gateway to the sea, and we visit a cafe with a wooden catwalk and foreign goods where we come across a British breed of cat living there. We also encounter unique cats at an ornamental fish shop, a shrine, and in the forest.
S1 · E89Kawagoe and Chichibu 2020-12-07 · 59 min
This trip to meet wonderful cats takes us to Kawagoe and Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture. Every morning at 6am, a meow can be heard on Kawagoe's Bell Street. When the sound of the bell is heard, people nearby start having breakfast. At a long-established soy sauce store, there is a cat with charming green eyes. At a soba restaurant in Nagatoro, known for its river boat rides, a meow seems content to be pampered by customers. Then, as we head to the remains of the open-cut mine where the copper of the Wadokaichin mine was extracted, we meet a cat guiding us. We also capture on camera cats playing in a flower field overlooking the beautiful Chichibu mountain range.
S1 · E90Sanuki and Kagawa 2021-01-05 · 59 min
This time on our journey to meet wonderful cats, we visit Sanuki and Kagawa. First, early in the morning, we come across some cute kittens on the stone steps of Kotohira Shrine. Sanuki is known for its udon noodles. Iwago really wanted to photograph a cat eating udon. He heard that a certain udon restaurant had a mascot cat, so he went to visit. Yashima-ji Temple, which has ties to the Sanuki-born Kobo Daishi Kukai, has cats living in various locations. We captured them playing in their own way on camera. We also filmed in a traditional craftsman's workshop and at Omusubi Mountain.
S1 · E91Aki and Hiroshima 2021-02-02 · 59 min
Animal photographer Iwago Mitsuaki goes on a journey to meet wonderful cats, this time in Aki and Hiroshima. First up is Miyajima, where he finds a cat in a slightly strange place. Onomichi has recently been the talk of the town for its cats. Sensing a cat's gaze at a popular spot in the city, Iwago discovers three kittens on a roof. They are brothers, only three months old. One of them does something unexpected. In Tomonoura, with its calm waves and beautiful scenery on the Seto Inland Sea, a cat he meets in an alleyway shows him around the port. He also takes photos in Takehara, Aki's Little Kyoto
S1 · E92Nikko, Nasu, Shiobara 2021-04-13 · 59 min
This time, animal photographer Iwago Mitsuaki visits Nikko, Nasu and Shiobara. At Lake Chuzenji, he meets a cat family that is fed with seasonal smelt. A cat at a shrine in Imaichi has impressive whiskers but is a bit timid, hiding when a strong-looking cat appears. At the Nasu hot springs, where a tengu (a long-nosed snake) is said to have healed its wounds, cats love to walk through the steam. At Shiobara hot springs, he is surprised by a cat playing hide-and-seek in a limestone cave, and at Nasu Highlands, he is surprised by an elderly cat that draws energy from the forest. He meets cats that live together with people and nature.
S1 · E93Shimanto and Tosashimizu 2021-05-04 · 59 min
Animal photographer Iwago Mitsuaki visits Shimanto City and Tosashimizu City in Kochi Prefecture. He encounters a white male cat on a sunken bridge over the Shimanto River, said to be the last pure river in Japan. While photographing cats at a shrine in Shimanto City, he discovers Iwago's name on a stone fence. The Iwago family are originally from Kochi. The cats at a food shop in Tosashimizu City that uses bonito flakes, a local specialty, love the bonito flakes' dashi stock. At Tatsukushi Coast, famous for its strangely shaped rocks, he encounters two female cats who live together in harmony. Iwago is very satisfied with his trip to Kochi in spring to see the cats and cherry blossoms.
S1 · E94Fukuoka - Genkai Sea and Hibiki Sea - 2021-06-08 · 59 min
This time, animal photographer Iwago Mitsuaki searches for cats on the islands and seaside towns of the Genkai-nada and Hibiki-nada Seas in Fukuoka Prefecture. On Himeshima, which floats in the Genkai-nada Sea, Iwago comes across a cat that he likes at the port in the morning and gives it a name. The boss cat of a shopping street in Kitakyushu is not good at fighting, but he is a caring leader. On Ainoshima Island in the Hibiki-nada Sea, he comes across a cat looking out to sea on the sandy beach. Here too, Iwago gives it a name. He also photographs cats on Chishima Island and the Itoshima Peninsula. Finally, he returns to Himeshima and is moved by the sight of the cats living tough lives in the twilight.
S1 · E95In the scent of downtown Tokyo 2021-06-15 · 59 min
Iwago Mitsuaki, an animal photographer born and raised in Tokyo, photographs cats living among the scents of Tokyo's downtown area. At a shrine in Asakusa known for its maneki-neko (beckoning cat), he meets a cat said to be the goddess of good fortune and gets off to an auspicious start. In Asakusa, he also photographs the mascot cat of a comedy hall and a mother and baby cat at a long-established lantern shop. In Shibamata, Katsushika, he has a dramatic encounter. It turns out that a kitten he photographed on the approach to Taishakuten Temple once lived in the same shop. Iwago was delighted to be able to photograph two generations of cats, but...
S1 · E96In Tokyo's Shinjuku neighborhood 2021-06-22 · 59 min
This is the second in a series of photographs of cats in Tokyo by animal photographer Iwago Mitsuaki. He searches for cats in familiar places in Shinjuku Ward, where he lived until recently, and in places he hasn't seen in a long time. His familiar Kagurazaka is known as a red-light district, but it is lined with atmospheric cobblestone streets and rows of traditional houses. The cat that patrols the area every day is a cat from a nearby cafe. The mother cat now lives in a nearby beauty salon, but there is a reason for that. Iwago visited Shinjuku Golden Gai for the first time in 50 years, and there was a bar where people and cats can interact.
S1 · E97Iwate 2021-07-06 · 59 min
The journey to meet wonderful cats takes us to Iwate Prefecture. We meet a sweet kitty at a farm in Shizukuishi Town, looking up at Mt. Iwate. The cat at the restaurant is very stylish, with its white body and white flowers matching it. He always grooms his fur, which he is proud of. In Tono City, a village of folk tales, we film the mysterious relationship between two male cats, and also photograph a cute newborn kitten. At Chusonji Temple, the cats guide us around the temple surrounded by greenery. Iwago was very satisfied to meet so many cute cats in Iwate's lush nature.
S1 · E98Tokyo Tama 2021-08-10 · 59 min
In February 2021, he photographed a calico cat crossing the river on the riverbank in Akiruno City, using a fallen log as a bridge. At a riding club in Hachioji City, he encounters a cat that lives happily with the horses, and in Akishima City, he meets a cat that lives with a supercar in a garage. In Okutama Town, he chases a large male cat drinking spring water from the mountains. And at a temple in Akiruno City where plum blossoms are in bloom, he encounters a cat that seems to have attained enlightenment. The seasons come around again and it is June. At the temple, where the plum trees are bearing fruit, he is reunited with the cat.
S1 · E99Traditional Life and Cats ~Europe~ 2021-08-17 · 59 min
Animal photographer Iwago Mitsuaki continues to travel around the world to meet wonderful cats. He has visited Europe the most. He believes this is because cats are part of European history. He has always been fascinated by cats who live with people who value tradition. In this issue, he will introduce European cats all at once. He met forest fairy-like cats in Athens, Tuscany, Germany, Switzerland, Burgundy, Barcelona and Ireland.
S1 · E100Hakodate 2021-09-07 · 59 min
I've come all the way to Hakodate! ▽At a temple overlooking the sea from its gate, I meet a cat patrolling the grounds. In fact, it is in this very place that a ruthless territorial dispute between cats is taking place. ▽In the grass, I find a burrow full of kittens. Will Iwago-san be able to make friends with the kittens? ▽A cat living on the beach where sea urchins are caught. Does it eat tuna?
S1 · E101Karuizawa 2021-09-28 · 59 min
There is a cat in front of a church surrounded by trees. The cat licks at Iwago's camera as he tries to take a photo. Perhaps the cat sensed the scent of its friend from the camera, which has been photographing cats all over the world. You will meet unique cats in unique shops in Karuizawa, including a candle shop with over a thousand candles on display and a restaurant renovated from an old house. You will also meet cats enjoying their time at a villa. And in a cabbage field, you will film a "cat guarding the fields." Narrated by Miyazaki Aoi.
S1 · E102Wakayama 2021-10-10 · 59 min
At the fishing port, we discover a three-generation cat family. The two-month-old kittens are adorable. Mr. Iwago says to the mother cat who is struggling to raise them, "You're so great." ▽The cat who lives in a seaside cafe loves being near the stone oven. He spends his time relaxing while listening to the smell of baking bread. ▽We also see cats strolling the stone steps of the Kumano Kodo trail, cats using the former training grounds of Shugendo as their playground, and cats spending their time in tangerine fields, old houses, and diving shops. ▽Narrated by Tsukamoto Takashi
S1 · E103Light, Color and Nyan ~Latin America~ 2021-10-26 · 59 min
The film was shot mainly at the "Day of the Dead" festival in Mexico, similar to the Japanese Obon festival, coffee plantations in Costa Rica, and beaches in resort areas in Jamaica. It's as if the energy of the sun is being transmitted to people and cats. Narrated by Takashi Tsukamoto.
S1 · E104Toyama 2021-11-02 · 59 min
In Imizu city, you'll encounter a mother cat and her kitten. It's adorable to see them basking together in the sun. You'll also see a cat who serves as the "vice captain" of a sightseeing boat. In Nanto city, you'll walk through a town packed with woodcarving workshops. Real cats coexist with these wooden cats, which are displayed here and there around town. In Nyuzen town, you'll find a mother cat and her kitten enjoying the scent of ripe rice. You'll also see cats from vineyards, hot springs, and metal casting towns. The narrator is Tatekawa Shinosuke, a rakugo performer from Toyama prefecture.
S1 · E105Yamagata 2021-12-07 · 59 min
An island of ring-tailed lemurs. The females are stronger than the males, and a female named "Lacey" reigns as the boss. ▽The island features squirrel monkeys whose behavior is just like humans, Inca terns with interesting whiskers, white tigers who play together, mouflons that clash their horns violently, and wild-tempered African buffaloes. ▽The narrator is Ryoko Shiraishi
S1 · E106Nagasaki 2022-01-04 · 59 min
At Peace Memorial Park, you will encounter a white cat that is a symbol of peace. However, it seems that the white cat loves hunting... ▽ In the early morning at Unzen Jigoku, cats that live in the mountains gather in large numbers. The sight of them huddled in the steam and warm rocks is like a sauna or a bedrock bath. It is more paradise than hell, but when the tourist season comes around, the cats return to the mountains. ▽ Unique cats also appear at Oura Cathedral, Glover Sky Road, the ruins of the Chinese mansion, a ranch in Omura City, and more. ▽ Narrated by Fukushi Sota.
S1 · E107Matsuyama and Uwajima 2022-01-11 · 59 min
Botchan and Mado are brother and sister cats living on the site of the former lodgings of literary master Natsume Soseki, but their quarrel escalates, and eventually... ▽The cat at Dogo Onsen is called "Futeo" because of its unfazed and defiant appearance around people. But it seems it doesn't dislike being petted by people. When Iwago tries to pet it... ▽Name, a cat from Nametoko Valley, encounters a monkey that has come down the mountain in search of nuts. Name stares intently at the monkey. And then... ▽Narration by Maeda Atsuko
S1 · E108Kagoshima 2022-02-01 · 59 min
Who is the big boss of the cats living tough lives on Sakurajima? ▽A cat who gets excited easily but loses interest quickly at a Chiran tea farm? ▽A cat guarding the sweet potato shochu at the brewery from mice ▽A cat at the grave of Saigo Takamori, who was known to be a dog lover... ▽We visit Ibusuki City, the birthplace of Atsuhime, who loved cats. A star cat is discovered at a public bathhouse that is said to have been built when hot springs gushed forth from the rice fields during the Edo period ▽Narrated by Miyazaki Aoi
S1 · E109Kobe 2022-02-22 · 59 min
The garden of the former guest house is full of cats. The one in charge is the Queen Cat, who looks great in a red bow tie collar. ▽At a cafe filled with Western antiques, you'll meet an old cat with a vintage feel. ▽At a custom-made shoe workshop, you'll find a cat who loves its owner too much. ▽The idol cat you can meet in the shopping district is so popular that it even has a T-shirt with its name on it. ▽A cat who lives on the Kobe University campus is an amazing 20 years old. The secret to its longevity is... ▽Narrated by Mizuhara Kiko
S1 · E110North America West Coast 2022-03-08 · 59 min
Mitsuaki Iwago vs. the panda family. What is a "square panda"? ▽ Penguins that "fly" underwater ▽ The convenient beak of the great white pelican ▽ A huge clash between two white rhinos ▽ What can we see by observing a group of Mandrills? ▽ Narrator: Ryoko Shiraishi