While religious leaders around the world struggle to connect with increasingly secular youth, there is one buddhist temple in western Tokyo that has embraced “moe,” or painfully cute anime characters, and will capitalize on its status as “Geek Mecca” by opening up a maid cafe for two days in November.
So how exactly did a temple with over 500 years of history come to be so closely associated with uber-cute cartoon characters? Apparently Ryohoji Temple staff decided in 2009 to install a sign out front that declared their devotion to all things moe. They had wanted to create a lighter, more fun atmosphere for temple visitors.
On the sign is a “moe-fied” Benzaiten, one of the seven Japanese gods of luck, to which the temple is dedicated. Usually depicted with a Japanese lute, Ryohoji’s revamped version always has a sword to “protect the righteous” and a gem that represents sincerity.
▼More traditional depictions of the god on the left, compared with the moe deity on the right
So to celebrate this connection to moe culture, the temple will hold the “Ryohoji Hospitality” festival on November 16 and 17. Besides the maid cafe, there will be booths selling food and souvenirs as well as a chance to take a picture with the anime deities.
While this is not the strangest maid cafe we have seen, this two-day maid cafe at a moe temple is certainly the most spiritual one we have come across!
If you plan to experience what a maid cafe is like on sacred land, the closest station to Ryohoji Temple is Nishi-Hachioji, a 35-minute train ride on the JR Chuo line from Shinjuku Station in central Tokyo. The temple is about a seven-minute walk from the station’s north entrance.
The festival will take place from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days and the maid cafe will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. But make sure you make your last order before 3:30 PM at the cafe!
▼The gods of cuteness will lead the way to the maid cafe!
Source: IT Media
Images: Ryohoji Temple, Wikipedia, Wikipedia, Wikipedia
Tokyo’s moe temple is now selling Buddhist goddess anime figures
New cyberpunk maid cafe opens in Akihabara, Tokyo
Looking for a job in Japan? New “Sugoi Kawaii” maid cafe in Akihabara now hiring foreigners!
Akiba Dental Clinic: The Akihabara dentist where a moe maid in cosplay cleans your teeth
A look at New York’s first maid cafe
Adorable Totoro acorn key holders come with a special guest hidden inside[Photos]
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
“Let’s Speak North Korean!”
The world’s biggest Muji store opened in Hiroshima, and we went to check it out!
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Saitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
Internet survey sheds light on how Japanese women deal with the hair ‘down there’
Shizuoka hot springs town invites you to see one of the longest hina doll displays in Japan
Want to wear a student uniform to Tokyo Disneyland? Uniform rental shop opens just outside park
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
New Japanese maid cafe has strict age limit for maids: No one under 65!
Leading maid cafe chain to open largest location in history in Akihabara
Abuse Cafe Japan: We get abused by waitresses in maids’ uniforms at Tokyo’s viral pop-up diner
Anime lies! Akihabara is actually “ugly and boring,” Chinese netizens say
These beautiful temple gardens are…15 minutes from Narita Airport?!
Move aside, maid cafes — this Tokyo cafe has actors who pretend to be your friends
This Tokyo temple offers breakfast that’s beautiful, delicious, and includes message of salvation
Hidden history, retro cafes, and a shoe shrine on Asakusa bus loop【Tokyo Loop Buses】