INDEX
- What is Gotokuji, the temple famous for its beckoning cat?
- The 500-year history of Gotokuji Temple and its relationship with the maneki-neko
- Access to Gotokuji Temple is a fun walk from the station
- The Gotokuji Temple grounds are full of sights
- How to get a goshuin at Gotokuji Temple
- Nearby spots for cat souvenirs and cat delicacies
- "Tamanyan Festival" & "Okinawa Festival". Keep an eye out for the festivals that liven up Gotokuji
What is Gotokuji, the temple famous for its beckoning cat?
There are surprisingly many stations named after temples in Tokyo, such as Koenji, Sengakuji, Yutenji, and Gokokuji, and Gotokuji Station on the Odakyu Line is one of them. The quaint Yamashita Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line tram line is also nearby. In front of the station is a charming shopping street with a nostalgic atmosphere, surrounded by quiet residential areas. Gotokuji, a famous local temple from which the station is named, is known as the "birthplace of the beckoning cat" along with Imado Shrine in Taito Ward.
The 500-year history of Gotokuji Temple and its relationship with the maneki-neko
Gotokuji's official name is Daikeizan Gotokuji. Its predecessor is said to be the Rinzai sect Kotoku-in temple, which was founded in 1480 by Kira Masatada, the lord of Setagaya Castle, for his deceased aunt, and was later converted to the Soto sect. In 1633, the area known as the "Setagaya domain," including this area, came under the control of the Hikone domain, and the temple became the family temple of the Ii clan, the lords of Hikone, in Edo. It was renamed Gotokuji after the posthumous name of the second lord, Ii Naotaka, "Kyushōin-den Gotoku Ten'ei Daikōji."
Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) in front of the temple office
The origin of the beckoning cat, which is said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, is also closely connected to Ii Naotaka. On his way back from falconry, he passed a small temple and saw a cat beckoning to him from the gate. When Naotaka was led by the cat into the temple to rest, the sky suddenly became cloudy and a thunderstorm started. Thanks to the head priest's beloved cat "Tama", he escaped the danger of being struck by lightning and was able to hear the sermon. Naotaka felt that this was the Buddha's karma and renovated the dilapidated temple. It is said that this incident led to the temple becoming the family temple of the Ii family.
Access to Gotokuji Temple is a fun walk from the station
It is about a 10-minute walk from Gotokuji Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line, or a 5-minute walk from Miyanosaka Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line. As soon as you pass through the ticket gates at Gotokuji Station, you will be greeted by a maneki-neko (beckoning cat). In the shopping street between the station and the temple, there are many signs, illustrations, and ornaments with cat motifs, showing how the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) liven up the town.
The lucky cat statue in front of you after exiting the ticket gate
One of the fun things to do is to look for cats while walking through the shopping district.
If you come by car, it is about 15 minutes from the Eifuku ramp on the Shuto Expressway, and there is parking for about 20 cars which visitors can use free of charge.
A visit to the Gotokuji temple grounds, full of sights
The spacious grounds are dotted with many points of interest, including the Buddha Hall, which houses statues of Shaka Nyorai, Amida Nyorai, and Maitreya Bodhisattva, the main hall, and the precious temple bell, which was built in 1679.
The Buddhist temple. The characters on the front of the building are said to represent the three worlds of the past, present and future.
The stately main hall was built in 1967.
A temple bell that is highly regarded for its artistic merit and is a tangible cultural property designated by Setagaya Ward.
The Ii family cemetery also contains the grave of Ii Naosuke, a senior councilor at the end of the Edo period.
The 22.5m-tall three-story pagoda is particularly eye-catching, with carvings of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac all around, but the most notable part is the rat. The cats are larger than the main rat, as you'd expect from a cat temple.
A three-story pagoda built in 2006
Here, cats join the zodiac.
This is also a maneki-neko (beckoning cat) on a three-story pagoda. Try to find it.
The votive plaques also feature beckoning cats, and many of the wishes on them are for the health of pet cats, something that is unique to Gotokuji Temple.
There are wishes written in various languages, which shows that this is a popular spot for foreigners too.
The spot where you can fully experience Gotokuji Temple's beckoning cat faith is the Shoufukuden, where Tama is enshrined as a beckoning cat.
A standing statue of Kannon Bodhisattva is enshrined inside the hall.
The impressive sight of the various sizes of lucky cats lined up next to the hall, with barely any space between them! This is the place where the lucky cats are offered, and it is said that if you return one after your wish has been granted, you will receive even more blessings. In other words, the number of lucky cats that are crowded together means that wishes are granted, so this alone makes it an auspicious spot.
When you think of a beckoning cat, many people probably imagine one holding an oval coin. The Gotokuji Maneki Neko is not holding an oval coin, but has an elegant and cute appearance with its right front paw raised. The commonly seen maneki-neko holding an oval coin is a style called the "Tokoname style" from Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, which is currently a major production area. There is a good reason why the Maneki-neko does not hold an oval coin. It is said that this is because the Maneki-neko gives you opportunities, but does not give you good fortune itself, and it is up to you to make the most of the opportunity. Another little tidbit is that there are generally maneki-neko with their right front paw raised and maneki-neko with their left front paw raised, and it is said that the right front paw brings good fortune and the left front paw brings people.
How to get a goshuin at Gotokuji Temple
You can purchase the lucky cat figurine at the temple office, and it comes in a variety of sizes, from a small 2cm size to an extra large 30cm size. You can also purchase votive plaques, charms, and amulets, and you can also receive a goshuin stamp. The goshuin stamp is available from 8:00 to 16:30 and costs 300 yen.
A red seal. In the center is the character "Honzon Shakyamuni Buddha."
Also, on the glass door of the temple office, there is a picture of Hikone's mascot character, Hikonyan, who is said to be modeled after a lucky cat. Even in places like this, I was able to discover a connection with the Hikone Domain and the Ii family.
If you take a stroll around the area, you can find cat souvenirs and cat delicacies.
As mentioned at the beginning, you can find Maneki Neko not only within the temple grounds. In the shops around the temple, you can find unique products with a Maneki Neko motif.
Mahorodo Sogetsu
A charming beckoning cat is branded on the Maneki Neko Dora.
Mahorodo Sougetsu is a modern Japanese sweets shop with a cafe space located along the Setagaya Line tracks, close to Gotokuji Temple and Setagaya Hachimangu Shrine, known for its votive sumo wrestling. The elegantly tasting green bean daifuku and potato yokan are popular staples. The Maneki Neko Dora, branded with a maneki-neko (beckoning cat) design, is baked in butter instead of oil, giving it a slightly Western flavor. It matches well with the lightly sweet homemade bean paste.
Mahorodo Sogetsu
Mahorodo Sogetsu
| address | ： | Windsor Palace 103, 1-38-19 Miyasaka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 03-6320-4898 |
| business hours | ： | 10:00～18:00 |
| Closed Day | ： | Mondays (Tuesdays if Monday is a public holiday, and other irregular holidays) |
| web | ： | http://www.mahorodou-sougetsu.com/ |
Penguin Pastry
In addition to the four standard flavors of plain, chocolate, matcha, and strawberry, there are also seasonal flavors.
Penguin Pastry, a one-minute walk from Gotokuji Station, is a cute cake shop marked by a light blue building. The display case features the Penguin Roll, made with fresh cream from Lake Akan wrapped in egg-rich dough, and cakes made with a generous amount of seasonal fruit. The popular souvenir, Gotokuji Nyanko Bell, is a bite-sized baked confectionery shaped like a cat's bell.
Penguin Pastry
Penguin Pastry
| address | ： | 1-23-14 Gotokuji, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 03-6413-5128 |
| business hours | ： | Weekdays 11:30-18:00 Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10:30-18:00 |
| Closed Day | ： | Wednesdays (Some irregular holidays) |
| web | ： | http://penguin-pastry.com/ |
Utsuwa no Wada
There are four types of beckoning cat chopstick rests, with two types of cats raising their right and left front paws. The containers in the back are another popular product, a Tobe-yaki pet food container (left) and water container (right).
Utsuwa no Wada, which opened in April 2018, deals in ceramics from all over Japan, with a focus on potteries in Okinawa and Kyushu. The owner, who switched from the apparel industry to the world of tableware, was not a professional, so he selects items based not only on appearance but also on ease of use. The "Lucky Cat Chopstick Rest" is an original product made by Eto Akihisa of Oshugama in Fukuoka, who went on to set up his own business after working at Kodai-yaki Mizuhogama. The hand-painted expressions are incredibly alluring.
Utsuwa no Wada
Utsuwa no Wada
| address | ： | 1-49-2 Gotokuji, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 1F |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 090-6654-1492 |
| business hours | ： | 11:00～18:00 |
| Closed Day | ： | Wednesdays (Some irregular holidays) |
| web | ： | https://utsuwanowada.jp/ |
"Tamanyan Festival" & "Okinawa Festival". Keep an eye out for the festivals that liven up Gotokuji
Around Gotokuji, festivals are held twice a year on Tamanyan Street in the Gotokuji Shopping Arcade. The first is the Tamanyan Festival, held in May. There are food stalls, a game corner, an event stage, and more, and it is crowded with many tourists every year.
The "Akisamiyo Gotokuji Okinawa Festival" is an Okinawa festival held every autumn on Tamanyan Street in Gotokuji Shopping Arcade. Gotokuji is home to the Okinawa Prefecture student dormitory "Okiei Ryo", and it is said that this was the impetus for the festival to begin. With events such as sales of Okinawan specialty products, food stalls, and an Eisa parade, Gotokuji is bathed in the colors of the tropics in autumn.
Gotokuji Temple is not only filled with maneki-neko (beckoning cats), but it also has a lot to offer. If you come to visit the cats, which are considered to be both soothing and auspicious, you're sure to discover something new. Why not give it a go?
Gotokuji Temple, Mt. Daikei
| address | ： | 2-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 03-3426-1437 |
| Visiting hours | ： | [From late March] 6:00-18:00 (Temple office reception 8:00-17:00) [From late September] 6:00-17:00 (Temple office reception 8:00-16:30) |
| web | ： | https://gotokuji.jp/ |
Photo: Takanori Ishii
*Some content was updated on October 3, 2022.
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
