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!
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.”
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
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.
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
Image credits: nekojizo
Image credits: nekojizo
Image credits: nekojizo
Image credits: nekojizo
Image credits: tripadvisor
Image credits: yunhomania
You can eat cat-themed food at the cafe
Image credits: kstagram15
Image credits: tripadvisor
Image credits: hiratama_tsubuan
Here's what people said about the cat temple on the internet
