Mapping cortical columnar structures is important to understand cortical information processing. To map submillimeter columnar structures noninvasively, we have evaluated various functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques using a well-established feline orientation column model. The conventional positive blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal is widespread and diffuse due to large venous vessel contributions, resulting in its poor specificity to columns. However, the early-negative BOLD signal is induced by the early oxygen consumption increase without significant change in blood flow. This negative signal has been successfully applied for columnar mapping. Tissue-specific cerebral blood flow (CBF) response is also specific to individual cortical columns, suggesting that parenchyma-specific fMRI techniques are capable to map individual single-condition functional cortical columns in animals as well as humans.