Here’s a familiar saying: “In Ancient Egypt, cats were worshipped as gods; they have never forgotten this.” Certainly in Japan, cats are still given a huge amount of respect, with entire islands of moggies being given free roam to peacefully exist in their own little kitty ecosystem. Of course, things aren’t perfect, and stray and abandoned cats are a sad reality in Japan as much as they are in many other countries. But today we’re here to appreciate the happy cats of Gotanjo temple in Fukui Prefecture, who are lovingly tended to by Buddhist monks and fawned over by the adoring tourists who come to visit. You can even get a special kitty cat fortune and see what’s in store for the coming year!
Gotanjo Temple is so well-known for its plethora of feline residents, it’s now unofficially been dubbed “Kitty Temple” by visitors and local residents. The monks feed and care for the cats, who spend their days either lounging around on top of the omikuji (fortune) stands or trotting after the monks hoping for a tidbit.
猫寺こと御誕生寺に来ています٩(｡•ω•｡)و pic.twitter.com/mQcD2LG254
— あきぴら (@akipira) November 11, 2014
▲ “Here I am at Gotanjo Temple, aka Kitty Temple!”
待機番の時は遠くにいけないのでついここに｡今は食事中｡@御誕生寺 pic.twitter.com/vFTXhbQG4K
— 田舎の元外科医 (@inakashoge) October 25, 2014
▲ “Pussycat feeding time at Gotanjo Temple!”
雪の中、福井の猫寺行ってきた！
— ぜんまい！ (@8040zenmai) January 1, 2015
意外にたくさんにゃんこさんがいた。
寒そうだが、なかなか元気だった。 pic.twitter.com/6s7IWYZo6V
▲ “At Gotanjo Temple, in the snow! There’s many more moggies than I was expecting! They look a little chilly but still energetic!”
If you’d like to see the kitties in action, here’s an adorable video shot at the temple, where you can see the cheeky cats begging tourists for treats, snoozing on benches, and sniffing at the camera!
The sign on the omikuji stand invites patrons to reach around the snoozing cat to grab their fortune.
https://twitter.com/MY_0000_/status/548753099121119232
▲ “So many kitties at Gotanjo Temple!”
猫寺のおみくじ pic.twitter.com/gMGUbGbebl
— ねず菜 (@nezu_na) January 7, 2015
The fortunes themselves are kitty-themed!
https://twitter.com/LPtair74cult/status/539013884242190337
▲ “My omikuji fortune from Gotanjo Temple! I got this tiny kitty with it!
If you’re in need of some extra special good luck for the coming year, or if you simply love to look at hordes of fluffy, contented kitties, then be sure to add a visit to Kitty Temple to your travel itinerary next time you come to Japan!
Beckoning cat fortunes lure a kitten into their box at cat temple in Japan
Visit the birthplace of the Japanese daruma in Gunma Prefecture
A visit to Tokyo’s luckiest, kitty-est lucky cat temple: Gotokuji【Photos】
Cute cat infiltrates famous Japanese rock garden at Kyoto’s Tofukuji Temple 【Video】
TV program claims Japanese temple banned cats for being too cute, Japan nods in agreement
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Suspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
Starbucks Japan has a secret breakfast set…and a hack for when it sells out
Do Bare Feet of a Gorilla slides really make your legs slimmer?
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Studio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese monk’s breakfasts with cats are the most important/cutest videos of the day
Tokyo’s beckoning cat temple asks foreign tourists to stop writing on the beckoning cats they buy
Buddhist temples in Japan get digital upgrade with new techno wooden fish【Video】
Kyoto temple goes modern with Techno Memorial combining music and lights with Buddhist Festival
Cat settles itself in Buddhist altar and shocks family
What is this kitty trying to tell us? The online mystery of the cat and the cotton swabs
Buddhist priest at Japanese temple lodging goes viral for rude responses to tourist’s bad reviews
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
We’ll take our kitties to go! Cats hanging out in bags will brighten your day 【Pics】
Is this the oldest cat in the world? Japanese kitty Ai-chan turns 27 【Pics】
Cute cat finds way to make humans bow down and worship him at Japanese shrine