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There Is A Cat Temple In Japan And Its Monks Are The Cutest
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There Is A Cat Temple In Japan And Its Monks Are The Cutest

Interview With Owner
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Cat lovers everywhere, rejoice! Japan is full of surprises and some of them are especially awesome if you’re a fan of fluffy felines. Catto admirers that visit Japan should do their best to head on over to Nyan Nyan Ji (literally meaning Meow Meow Temple when translated into English), which is in Kyoto.

Now, we know what you’re thinking: a place named Meow Meow Temple should be full of cats, right? Well, you’re 100 percent correct! The place has a cat monk and has catto assistants. How purrfect is that? Scroll down for Bored Panda’s interview with the owner of Koyuki the head cat monk of Meow Meow Temple!

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If you’re ever in Kyoto, make sure to visit the Meow Meow Temple!

Image credits: hotokeYK

Image credits: nekojizo

This is Koyuki, the head monk of the temple. According to her owner, Koyuki loves interacting with her ‘worshipers.’

Image credits: nekojizo

Those people visiting the Nyan Nyan Temple in Kyoto are in for a treat because they’ll be greeted by the current cat monk named Koyuki. Inside the temple, you can order food and drinks that are, appropriately, cat-themed.

Koyuki’s owner talked to Bored Panda about Meow Meow Temple: “This temple was opened by painter Toru Kaya with the theme of this favorite cat.”

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According to Koyuki’s owner, the person who opened Meow Meow Temple is a well-known painter of “shrines and temples.”

Image credits: yunhomania

Image credits: yunhomania

Image credits: nekojizo

The place is also full of statues and drawings that feature cats as well. If you’re in the mind for souvenirs, you can buy some of them inside the temple shop that’s called “Littlefootmark Ren.”

In an interview, Bored Panda was told that there are 7 cats working in the temple: Koyuki (who is female), Waka (male), Chin (male), Aruji (male), Ren (female), Konatsu (female), and Chicchi (female).

“Visitors who come to worship play with cats and enjoy cafes and cat art,” said Koyuki’s owner, who sent Bored Panda some exclusive photos from the Meow Meow Temple.

Koyuki, the cat monk, is the most popular feline at the temple

Image credits: nekojizo

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Image credits: hellochiwakey

Image credits: nekojizo

Koyuki isn’t the first cat monk to occupy the place of honor in the temple: there are already three generations of feline monks. The temple opened only in 2016, so we’re not sure if such a quick change in cattos heading the temple is a good or a bad thing.

Image credits: nekojizo

Image credits: nekojizo

The cat assistants aren’t as popular as the head monk, but they’re just as cute

Image credits: pastlivesofthenearfuture

The cat monk Koyuki is not the only feline at Nyan Nyan Ji. There are plenty of assistants there too. However, Koyuki, who has a grumpy face, is the most popular catto. We can see why, but we’re of the opinion that all cats are worth our attention.

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Image credits: hellochiwakey

Image credits: osamutabuchi

Image credits: nosmama

For those of you currently in Kyoto or who are planning a trip there in the near future, you can find the Meow Meow Temple at this address: 520 Yasekonoecho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto 601-1253, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. If you do visit, make sure to send us plenty of pictures and leave a comment detailing your experiences beneath this post!

Image credits: nekojizo

Image credits: nekojizo

Image credits: nekojizo

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Image credits: nekojizo

Image credits: nekojizo

Image credits: nekojizo

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Image credits: tripadvisor

Image credits: yunhomania

You can eat cat-themed food at the cafe

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Image credits: kstagram15

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Image credits: hiratama_tsubuan

Here’s what people said about the cat temple on the internet

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klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ll gladly pledge my undying loyalty to my fuzzy overloads. I wonder if they accept offerings of sushi 🍣

dani_2525 avatar
Danielle Renee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love it! my cats already reign supreme in my house anyway, why not have a shrine

markbelliscanada avatar
Mark Bellis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good one - but that should be Meow-meow Temple, not Shrine - in Japan, shrines are Shinto places of worship - this one uses the word 寺, ji, used for Buddhist temples, and has a cat Buddha on the altar - not that incongruous, as Buddhas can incarnate as animals in their past lives.

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been to Kyoto, and I never knew they have a cat temple, def add that on my must go list for next time visit!!!

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go during springtime. When you can catch the cherry blossoms

Load More Replies...
elizabethcwest avatar
Pretty Pangolin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It reminds me of the "Dog Church" in Vermont (the artist passed away so I don't know if it's still active).

deannawoods avatar
deanna woods
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cats are amazing creatures and I just love how they are revered in different parts of the world. I would love to have a sit down with the cat monk or even one of the assistants.

abinicoarts avatar
Abinico Arts
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just realized I have been running a cat shrine for most of my life.

jht31613 avatar
James Thompson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd lost my faith in organized religion but now I've found it again!

kirstenkerkhof avatar
Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat is wondering why his house isn't a shrine in his honor either ...

catwoman408 avatar
Tina Hugh
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is quality content. It makes my grumpies go away. Sorry, I slipped into LOLspeak. Anyway, how do I covert to this religion?

4msaya avatar
miaow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

now that's where i belong. Please accept me, Koyuki. I am spiritually restored..

kayrose avatar
RoseTheMad
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like I need to go back to Japan - other than a day at Fushimi Inari, I certainly did not get to explore Kyoto enough, but next time this place shall be top of my list!

crisgonzalez346 avatar
Cristian Gonzalez
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just for clarification: in Japan, shrine = Shintoism, temple = Buddhism. After looking at the pictures, it looks like it a temple. In fact, the character 寺 is usually translated as temple.

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have so many questions. Is this really a religion? or just a clever way to make money. ( Which is fine of course )White cats in Australia get skin cancers if they spend too much time outside, does this happen there? Cats that are neutered live much longer, are these cats so lucky?

trinaxxl avatar
TRina Lockary
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like it is a Buddhist "Art" temple. Buddha is sometimes seen as an animal and a Buddhist temple is not the same kind of stiff arrangement as a Christian church

Load More Replies...
tooldude500 avatar
James Ginder
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm curious, are there a lot of stray animals in Japan? The Japanese people appear to really care for their animals. I would think not but have no idea

johnson_gwen0925 avatar
trinaxxl avatar
TRina Lockary
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To what? To YOUR personal interaction with the divine? Or do you see this as Blasphemy against the Buddhist faith? If it is #2 I assure you the average Buddhist cares more about living as a decent human being than how people show their respect and love for life. In the Buddhist faith Buddha (the teacher) lived in many forms in past lives, including animals. If it is #1 keep this in mind, if your god is so great and powerful why don't you just assume that he shows himself to people around the world in many forms and the form you are comfortable with isn't the only one....or does that also offend you not because you can't imagine your God being that powerful but because you can't imagine any other race of people being worthy of YOUR god showing himself in their form.

Load More Replies...
cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

The "pure" white cat is "the chosen one." That's a fcked-up message.

morganjeffries avatar
morgan jeffries
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you bothered to look at the post then you would have seen that the previous head monk was a ginger cat.

Load More Replies...
klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ll gladly pledge my undying loyalty to my fuzzy overloads. I wonder if they accept offerings of sushi 🍣

dani_2525 avatar
Danielle Renee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love it! my cats already reign supreme in my house anyway, why not have a shrine

markbelliscanada avatar
Mark Bellis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good one - but that should be Meow-meow Temple, not Shrine - in Japan, shrines are Shinto places of worship - this one uses the word 寺, ji, used for Buddhist temples, and has a cat Buddha on the altar - not that incongruous, as Buddhas can incarnate as animals in their past lives.

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been to Kyoto, and I never knew they have a cat temple, def add that on my must go list for next time visit!!!

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go during springtime. When you can catch the cherry blossoms

Load More Replies...
elizabethcwest avatar
Pretty Pangolin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It reminds me of the "Dog Church" in Vermont (the artist passed away so I don't know if it's still active).

deannawoods avatar
deanna woods
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cats are amazing creatures and I just love how they are revered in different parts of the world. I would love to have a sit down with the cat monk or even one of the assistants.

abinicoarts avatar
Abinico Arts
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just realized I have been running a cat shrine for most of my life.

jht31613 avatar
James Thompson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd lost my faith in organized religion but now I've found it again!

kirstenkerkhof avatar
Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat is wondering why his house isn't a shrine in his honor either ...

catwoman408 avatar
Tina Hugh
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is quality content. It makes my grumpies go away. Sorry, I slipped into LOLspeak. Anyway, how do I covert to this religion?

4msaya avatar
miaow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

now that's where i belong. Please accept me, Koyuki. I am spiritually restored..

kayrose avatar
RoseTheMad
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like I need to go back to Japan - other than a day at Fushimi Inari, I certainly did not get to explore Kyoto enough, but next time this place shall be top of my list!

crisgonzalez346 avatar
Cristian Gonzalez
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just for clarification: in Japan, shrine = Shintoism, temple = Buddhism. After looking at the pictures, it looks like it a temple. In fact, the character 寺 is usually translated as temple.

bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have so many questions. Is this really a religion? or just a clever way to make money. ( Which is fine of course )White cats in Australia get skin cancers if they spend too much time outside, does this happen there? Cats that are neutered live much longer, are these cats so lucky?

trinaxxl avatar
TRina Lockary
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like it is a Buddhist "Art" temple. Buddha is sometimes seen as an animal and a Buddhist temple is not the same kind of stiff arrangement as a Christian church

Load More Replies...
tooldude500 avatar
James Ginder
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm curious, are there a lot of stray animals in Japan? The Japanese people appear to really care for their animals. I would think not but have no idea

johnson_gwen0925 avatar
trinaxxl avatar
TRina Lockary
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To what? To YOUR personal interaction with the divine? Or do you see this as Blasphemy against the Buddhist faith? If it is #2 I assure you the average Buddhist cares more about living as a decent human being than how people show their respect and love for life. In the Buddhist faith Buddha (the teacher) lived in many forms in past lives, including animals. If it is #1 keep this in mind, if your god is so great and powerful why don't you just assume that he shows himself to people around the world in many forms and the form you are comfortable with isn't the only one....or does that also offend you not because you can't imagine your God being that powerful but because you can't imagine any other race of people being worthy of YOUR god showing himself in their form.

Load More Replies...
cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

The "pure" white cat is "the chosen one." That's a fcked-up message.

morganjeffries avatar
morgan jeffries
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you bothered to look at the post then you would have seen that the previous head monk was a ginger cat.

Load More Replies...
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