Last Updated on 28 January 2026 by Vanessa
Tired of the daily grind? Dreaming of a peaceful escape with a side of cuteness? Look no further than Nyan Nyan Ji cat temple Kyoto. Also known as Meow Meow Shrine (because Nyan translates to Meow), this temple has a cat monk and a clowder of feline assistants, and they are here to bring you inner peace.
Nyan Nyan Ji cat temple Kyoto has a feline monk, and it’s pure bliss!
This adorable sanctuary perfectly embodies the spirit of The Zen of Cat: An A-Z of Japanese Feline Philosphy, a book by Carla Francis, published by Pan Macmillan.
In the chapter on annei (安寧) – the Japanese concept of peace and tranquillity – Carla explores how we can find calm and joy in life’s simplest moments.
And what could be more peaceful than spending time in a temple dedicated to creatures who have mastered the art of living with serene confidence?
Ready to dive into this sample chapter of The Zen of Cat and meet Kyoto’s feline monk?
The cat monk of Nyan Nyan Ji cat temple Kyoto
Not everyone gets to wear a rakusu, a traditional Japanese garment worn around the neck of Zen Buddhists and usually reserved for those who have taken the precepts, but the head cat monk at Nyan Nyan Ji Temple takes the role seriously.
Nestled in the outskirts of northern Kyoto is Nyan Nyan Ji Temple, also known as Meow Meow Shrine.
It is the purr-fect place to learn about peace and spirituality from a feline perspective, surrounded by the art, statues and symbols of a cat version of the bodhisattva created by founder and temple painter Tōru Kaya in 2016.
One of my favorite images featured at the temple is of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, also known as Avalokiteshvara in India, or Guan Yin in China, depicted in feline form with multiple arms.
Kannon is well known throughout Japan as the keeper of peace and reliever of troubles.
This kitty bodhisattva may indicate that cats also have the potential for enlightenment (whatever a cat’s enlightenment might look like).
Speaking of what cats can teach us about peace and living harmoniously together, the owner of the cat monk, Tōru Hashimoto, told me, “Since a cat’s lifespan is much shorter than our own, stray cats, who have even shorter lifespans due to their harsh lifestyles, when we humans welcome them into our family and watch their life seriously, can teach us a lot of important things that are applicable to the life of a human being.
We can learn all about love, joy, comfort and sorrow.
But, strangely enough, our anger becomes much less frequent.
If many people can learn these things, their hearts will overflow with kindness, and there will be less strife and hatred in the world.”
Cats are known for their ability to heal; their purrs are thought to lower stress levels, among various other therapeutic benefits.
Tōru-san (the san is added to Japanese names to indicate respect) explains the benefits our kitty companions give us. “I think cats who live with people are very self-assertive,” he said. “Their casual gestures and subtle sense of distance are very attractive and healing for us. It’s like the relationship between two lovers.”
The former Head Cat Priest at Nyan Nyan Ji was the green-eyed Koyuki, a wise white stray cat that was not afraid of changes in her living environment, loud noises, typhoons and earthquakes – or proudly wearing prayer beads and customised robes.
Tōru-san added, “She was very friendly to humans and treated everyone kindly, never scratching anyone in anger. Since she was such a peaceful feline, Koyuki was chosen as the first cat priest of Nyan Nyan Ji Temple, and many people from all over the world came to see her. She was very much loved by many people.”
Tōru-san continued, “It is said that when someone with a sixth sense comes into contact with Koyuki, she will convey the power that makes people happy.”
Yukimi, like Koyuki, is a former stray cat, and is the new moggie monk in waiting.
At only about four months old, Yukimi doesn’t yet have any special training as an apprentice cat priest, but she’s learning the ropes quickly, and always accompanies Tōru on his visits to shrines and temples.
Tōru-san explained why cats make good monks: “Unlike other animals, many people find cats to be very mysterious in their eyes and gestures. In ancient Egypt, a cat goddess named Bastet was worshipped. So it may be a very natural flow that cats who are close to God are chosen as priests.”
Finally, I asked Tōru-san about the significance of the Cat Kannon statue. He said, “Cat Senju-kannon [Cat Thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara] is a Buddha who uses its many limbs to save many people and cats suffering in this world. I am learning the happiness of living through them.”
Visit next: Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine in Kyoto (It’s teeming with cats, too!)
Nyan Nyan Ji cat temple Kyoto: practical information
Address
Nyan Nyan Ji, 520 Yasekonoecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1253, Japan.
Opening times
- Monday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
- Thursday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
- Friday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
- Saturday: 11:00 am – 06:00 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am – 06:00 pm
Tickets
As of the latest available information, the admission fee is ¥800 for adults, which includes access to exhibitions and some cute freebies.
It’s advisable to check the temple’s official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on admission fees and any potential changes.
Transportation tips
From Kyoto Station, take bus number 17 bound for Ohara and alight at the Mikogafuchi bus stop.
The temple is a short walk (approximately 160 meters) from the stop.
Note that the bus ride is about an hour, and the one-day bus pass may not cover the entire fare, so be prepared to pay an additional fee.
Final thoughts
Did you enjoy this excerpt from the book The Zen of Cat by Carla Francis? Have you ever visited the Nyan Nyan Ji cat temple in Kyoto, or is it now on your travel bucket list? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Share this article with your fellow cat lovers and help spread the word about this cat monk and its haven of peace and purrs.
Find The Zen of Cat by Carla Francis on Amazon! (It’s available in several languages, including English, Italian, and Portuguese.)
Want to know more about this author? If so, check out our interview with Carla Francis where she talks about her book The Cat With Three Passports.
And if you’re looking for more things to do in Kyoto, check out this One Day in Kyoto Itinerary and this article on how to visit Kyoto responsibly.
Photos courtesy of Carla Francis.
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3 responses
Nothing better than a feline monk. I would love to visit here. Beautiful.
Thank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. ♥
THe pictures don’t seem to want to load for me, which is a pity as I’ll be there soon. Love the monk tho, that’s the only one that appears.
Thanks for sharing with #Allseasons. The linky will be back towards the end of Jan. Happy Holidays to you. I think New Year’s is the big one in Japan. I know everything is shut for those first few days after it.