Japanese temples have a longstanding history of taking in those who are on a journey, displaced, or simply just need a place to lay their head for a night. Now that hospitable tradition is being extended to cats!

Gotanjō-ji in Fukui, Japan, serves its typical duty as a training ground and place of spiritual refuge, but it's also become affectionately known as the "cat temple" now due to its policy regarding felines in need of a home.

Over 50 cats roam the temple grounds, and while they started as strays, the cat lover in charge of the temple has turned the premises into a sanctuary for the cats.

While the temple provides safe shelter for cats with nowhere else to go, the temple staff reach out using social media to find suitable homes, and even go as far as to look after the health of the cats, providing vaccinations and grooming.

It's expensive to look after so many cats, so the temple uses the donations they collect to finance efforts to get them in good health. While it seems that the cats have taken to the temple as a bit of a spiritual home, they are now a featured attraction of the temple, and are very friendly and approachable for visitors!

Patrons are encouraged to offer donations to help the temple-cats in need.

The cat figurine pictured above is a maneki-neko, or "beckoning cat"--a traditional good luck charm in the form of a cat asking for money. Seems fitting, doesn't it?

As you can see, the cats roam around like they own the place!

But they definitely all come back for feeding time!

One of the more popular cats, "Leo", has a smiling face that makes him the resident Buddha.

But don't tell that to this guy!

They've gotten quite used to the attention, so feel free to hang out with them while you visit!

We're just glad a cat lover runs the place!

Here's an introductory video, and some footage of their favorite--feeding time!