They Even Have A Cat Shrine In Japan!

If you’re ever in Kyoto, make sure to visit the Meow Meow Shrine!

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

Those people visiting the Nyan Nyan Shrine in Kyoto are in for a treat because they’ll be greeted by the current cat monk named Koyuki. Inside the shrine, you can order food and drinks that are, appropriately, cat-themed.

Koyuki’s owner talked to Bored Panda about Meow Meow Shrine: “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 Shrine is a well-known painter of “shrines and temples.”

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 Shrine.

Koyuki, the cat monk, is the most popular feline at the temple

Koyuki isn’t the first cat monk to occupy the place of honor in the shrine: 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 shrine is a good or a bad thing.

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

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.

For those of you currently in Kyoto or who are planning a trip there in the near future, you can find the Meow Meow Shrine at this address: 520 Yasekonoecho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto 601-1253, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.

You can eat cat-themed food at the cafe

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