The Gotokuji Temple is a Buddhist temple with a large collection of lucky beckoning cat figurines called maneki-neko.
There are so many in all sizes, and they look cute both single and in groups.
The temple is located a bit off the beaten path in a quiet Tokyo neighborhood, but the trip was worth it.
The temple itself was charming and peaceful. It was dotted with traditional wooden structures all over the place, and a pagoda surrounded by a well-kept garden.
The top attraction is the sea of lucky cat figurines left by visitors as a good fortune.
Seeing hundreds of them, all with one paw raised, was a surreal and charming experience.
Visitors can even buy their maneki-neko at the souvenir shop and leave it at the shrine as an offering.
I went there on a Sunday and it wasn’t crowded at all.
So if you love cats or want a unique temple experience, Gotokuji is worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary!
A little background about the beckoning cat that I came to know from the locals:
On a stormy night, a Samurai Lord lost his way and took shelter under a tree when he noticed a cat called Tama beckoning him.
She eventually led the Samurai to the temple where the monks fed him the same fodder as the cat. Impressed with the temple’s generosity and hospitality, the lord became its patron and donated a lot of his wealth.
All the credit goes to Tama the cat, so after its death, it was honored with maneki-neko statues, meaning symbols of good fortune.
The architecture of the temple is traditional Buddhist Zen structures, including a main hall called the Hondo, a bell tower, and a pagoda.
There is an adjoining cemetery with graves of the royal family.
Also, I saw a lucky charm sales point. They sold the Omamori Bells, and the top attraction, Maneki-Neko cat figures, were on sale too.
There is also an arrangement for hand washing before entering the temple.
I found the Gotokuji Temple to be a beautiful blend of history, spirituality, and folklore, making it a unique destination for both cultural enthusiasts and those seeking blessings of good luck.
The main temple is surrounded by several smaller structures with canopies that were probably meant for meditation or as shelters.
This temple was such a serene and calming place to visit. I found that the atmosphere was quiet and relaxing, making it a perfect spot to unwind and take in the beauty around.
How to Reach
Starting from Shibuya, I took the Tokyo Metro’s Odakyu Odawara Line and then changed to the Setagaya Line.
Finally, I got down at the Gotokuji Station and walked for about 10 minutes to reach the temple.
The walk was enjoyable too. The weather was pleasant, and the path was super-clean to the last bit.
It passed through small lanes, but Google Maps was to help.
I could not help but notice the ultra cleanliness and high quality of the tiny lanes in Tokyo.
Also, I noted these tiny hip-level concrete columns at many places that displayed the area map etched on a marble plate at the top.
Besides the clock tower, this is the most fascinating thing I have come across in my travels that was erected for the common good.
gem with us! 
