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
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Starbucks Japan now offers close-to-closing discounted items through its mobile order app
Singaporeans are getting creative when it comes to combating the low fertility rate
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Ginza Cozy Corner unveils cute range of osechi New Year cakes featuring lucky Japanese symbols
Toast with fermented soybeans and honey may not be good-looking, but it is good eating
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
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
Leave a Reply