I feel like all of those words can apply, but to me at least, they're missing pretty major cultural connotations. I think out of all of them, 'hometown' is the most similar in that it's often connected with ones identity, but it's not perfect.

I think one main thing that sets 'furusato' apart is that it isn't just a place, but I think it's more heavily connected with a simpler time. Post WWII, after Japan started rapidly urbanizing, people began to move to the cities, and they took their furusato through folk songs and other traditions with them. And even as they settled down into their new life, they never stopped longing for that simpler time and place.

I also personally think that you can feel like somewhere is your furusato even if you haven't necessarily lived there before. I have always felt a connection to where my dad was from because I grew up listening to the folk songs and listening to his stories. It's strange, but I don't really feel the same kind of connection for anywhere else.

Hehe! All of those do really fit penguins!

Owls do look quite catty. 🐱 Pandas maybe less so. 🤔 Though there's also a bird called the cat bird: