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

Interview With Owner

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!

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

Image credits: hotokeYK

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

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

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.”

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

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

Image credits: yunhomania

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

Image credits: yunhomania

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

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

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

Image credits: hellochiwakey

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

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.

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

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

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.

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

Image credits: hellochiwakey

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

Image credits: osamutabuchi

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

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!

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

Image credits: nekojizo

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

Image credits: tripadvisor

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

Image credits: yunhomania

You can eat cat-themed food at the cafe

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

Image credits: kstagram15

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

Image credits: tripadvisor

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

Image credits: hiratama_tsubuan

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

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

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

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