The Cats of Gokogu Shrine

Spend some time at the Gokogu Shrine in Japan where dozens of cats rule the roost.

Located in Ushimado in the Okayama Prefecture in the south of Japan is an ancient Shinto shrine overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.

People come to the shrine for different reasons. Some come for a spot of gardening, some come to fish for sardines, while others come to visit the dozens of cats that roam free.

Curator’s Note

Cat lovers of the world, unite!

Filmed spontaneously over a year and using an unplanned observational technique, Kazuhiro Sôda’s immersive documentary is a loving portrait of a town, its people, its quiet conflicts and, yes, its cats.

Quietly observed, the film follows the cats of Gokogu Shrine as they’re cared for by volunteers or as they fend for themselves. One moment they’re basking in the sun and the next they’re hungrily eyeing off sardines caught by fishermen at the shore.

The experience of watching The Cats of Gokogu Shrine is quiet and contemplative, not unlike the cats themselves.

– Reece Goodwin, Curator (Film & TV)