There are also shrines in Kyoto that are famous for their cats. If you stop by during your trip, you might find some cats soothing. We will introduce shrines where you can meet cats.
Umemiya Taisha "Cat Shrine"
Umemiya Taisha Shrine, dedicated to the god of sake brewing, is a place of worship for both sake brewers and locals. Its gardens, where visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers like plum and cherry blossoms, as well as irises and hydrangeas, are also home to a "stepping stone" believed to grant fertility. While the shrine boasts a long history, did you know it has recently been gaining attention as a "cat shrine"? The shrine began as a place to rescue stray cats about 20 years ago, and now boasts over a dozen felines. The sight of the cats lounging on the offering box, relaxing at the reception desk, or simply enjoying their own leisurely activities is deeply soothing. Having been featured on an NHK program starring Mitsuaki Iwago, the shrine is gaining attention as a new tourist spot. Cats are also a symbol of fertility, so perhaps they are like guardian deities at Umemiya Shrine, where visitors can pray for children. While the shrine doesn't see many visitors on weekdays, you might be lucky enough to have the felines all to yourself.
Access: Umemiya Taisha Shrine is located
at 30 Umezu Fukenogawacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. It is about a 15-minute walk from Matsuo Taisha Station on the Hankyu Arashiyama Line, a 3-minute walk from the Umenomiya Jingu-mae bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus, or a 30-minute taxi ride from JR Kyoto Station.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a very historic shrine, the head shrine of the 30,000 Inari shrines (commonly known as "Oinari-san") across Japan. It's also famous for its many fascinating attractions, including the "Omokaru Stone," whose weight when lifted is said to indicate whether your wish will come true; the "Senbon Torii," a network of 10,000 vermilion-lacquered torii gates that have been donated since the Edo period; and the "Oyama Meguri" (mountain tour), which allows visitors to visit the various miraculous points throughout Mount Inari. Fushimi Inari Taisha is also well-known as a place where you can encounter cats, and as rumored, felines can be found everywhere. These friendly felines are no wonder, making them a heartwarming sight for cat lovers. Many visitors have reported being guided by a cat during their mountain tour, and even some have shared fantastical stories of finding a cat at their feet at the Senbon Torii. It is also said that the origin of the beckoning cat is a terracotta cat figurine made at Fushimi Inari Taisha, which suggests that the connection between this shrine and cats is very old and deep. Fushimi Inari Taisha has such a strong connection with cats that the souvenir shop sells photos of the cats that live at the shrine, with the proceeds going towards food and spay/neuter operations. This initiative shows that the shrine cares for and values the cats' happiness.
68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City Access To get to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, get off at JR Nara Line "Inari Station", it is about a 5-minute walk from Keihan Electric Railway "Fushimi Inari Station", or it is about a 7-minute walk from the "Inari Taisha-mae" stop on the Kyoto City Bus South Route 5.
Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine
Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine is considered one of Japan's three major Hachimangu shrines and has long been affectionately known by locals as "Yawata no Hachiman-san." It's also a deeply historic shrine, with its main building designated a National Treasure in 2016. Its vibrant, eye-catching vermilion-lacquered main hall and the various animal-themed carvings within the building continue to captivate many visitors. To reach the main hall at the top of Mt. Otoko, you can either walk or take the cable car from Yawatashi Station. For those hoping to encounter cats, the walk is recommended. While the cable car ride is charming, the cats that greet you at every turn along the approach make for a relaxing hike. The Edison Monument near the main hall is a great spot to see many cats climbing the monument or lounging on the surrounding grass. Incidentally, this monument was erected in honor of the bamboo surrounding Mt. Otoko that was used for the filament when Edison invented the incandescent light bulb. These cats don't seem to care about Edison's achievements. They just go at their own pace and spend their time wherever they want, which is really charming.
Access: Take
the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine Approach Cable Car from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Station on the Keihan Railway, get off at Hachimangu-sanjo Station and walk for 5 minutes. Alternatively, take a taxi from Kyoto Station to the top of Otokoyama in about 30 minutes.
Bonus: Kotohira Shrine, where the "Koma-neko" guardian cats await
Kyoto Free Stock Photos Usually, the first thing worshippers see upon entering a shrine is a pair of lion- or dog-like guardian lions. However, at Kotohira Shrine, a pair of guardian cats welcomes visitors. Cat-shaped guardian cats are quite rare across Japan, but their history dates back 300 years. At the time, sericulture flourished in Mineyama, thanks to the birth of Tango Chirimen silk crepe. Cats were valued for protecting silkworms and cocoons from rats, the sericulture's greatest enemy, and they became like guardian deities. In 1830, Kijima Shrine, the god of sericulture, was welcomed to this area from Yamashiro Province (present-day Kyoto City), and the guardian cats were dedicated to the shrine. The cat on the left represents A with an open mouth, while the cat on the right represents Un with a closed mouth. Furthermore, there is a kitten at the left cat's feet, likely a female, while the cat on the right with its mouth closed is said to be a male. The two guardian cats still adorablely welcome visitors to Kotohira Shrine. They have round faces and a slightly humorous air. If you're a cat lover, why not go and meet them?
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Izumi , Mineyama-cho
, Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture Access To Kotohira Shrine, walk for about 20 minutes from Mineyama Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway Miyatoyo Line, or take the Tango Kairiku Kotsu bus from Mineyama Station and get off at the Kotohira Shrine-mae stop
summary
We've introduced you to shrines in Kyoto where you can meet cats, but have you found a spot you'd like to visit? Cats are well-loved at every shrine, and you can sense that they are loved as messengers of the gods or guardian deities. Please be mindful of the local residents and observe etiquette by not feeding cats outside of designated feeding areas. We hope you can enjoy spending time with cats while observing basic etiquette.
Cat goods and accessories
Neko Masshigura sells cat goods and accessories! Be sure to check it out!
