Gotanjoji Temple (Cat Temple)
In Japanese: 御誕生寺（猫寺）
A Soto Zen training temple in the quiet hills of Echizen City. Known as the 'Cat Temple' because it took in cats with nowhere to go, it is now home to about 30 cats.
Nearby
- Takefu Knife Village ≈ 15 min by car
- Okamoto & Otaki Shrines ≈ 20 min by car
- Echizen Pottery Village ≈ 40 min by car
- Ikeda Kazura Bridge ≈ 40 min by car
- Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins ≈ 40 min by car
Travel times are rough estimates by car.
- Getting there
- 10 min by car from Takefu IC (Hokuriku Expwy)
Easier with a tour or car - Good to know
- Cats are fed around 8:00 and 15:30 (about 7:30 is best in summer); goshuin 9:00–17:00. The temple no longer takes in cats
- Time needed
- 45 min
Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-15. Report outdated info