Echizen, Fukui / 御誕生寺
Gotanjoji Temple (Cat Temple)
A Soto Zen temple in a quiet valley in Echizen city, dedicated to monks' training. It is known as the "Cat Temple": it took in cats with nowhere to go, and about 30 cats now live here. There are beckoning-cat fortune slips, cat goshuin books and cat-covered goshuin stamps, and many cat lovers visit. Around the cats' feeding times, 8:00 and about 15:30, are recommended.
Last official check
26 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
25 Dec 2026
Decide before you go
A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.
- Getting there
- Car
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Closed
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Admission
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Getting there
10 minutes by car from Takefu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
Available (50 spaces, buses OK).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Echizen, Fukui (Japanese address: 福井県越前市庄田町32)
Official site: https://www.fuku-e.com/spot/detail_1631.html
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
- No photo yetOkamoto and Otaki ShrinesFukui5 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetKazurabashi Vine Bridge (Ikeda)Fukui14 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetIchijodani Reconstructed TownscapeFukui15 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetIchijodani Asakura Family Historic RuinsFukui15 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetShibata Shrine (Kitanosho Castle Ruins)Fukui19 km away (straight line)
Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Around the cats' feeding times of 8:00 and about 15:30 (in summer, the cooler time around 7:30) are recommended.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest season
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps
Visiting respectfully
- RulesThe temple no longer takes in cats (to keep a proper environment for them).Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Verification log
- 26 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.fuku-e.com/spot/detail_1631.htmlAccess, parking, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.