Gotokuji Temple in Photos

Gotokuji Temple is tucked away in the quiet streets of Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward. Thousands of beckoning cats, the adorable talismans that bring luck call it home. Photographers and feline lovers will find an unforgettable blend of culture, and history. Picture-perfect moments abound. Are you ready to discover this kitty haven?

Do you know the beckoning cats? You’ll find them all over Japan. In Japanese, they are called Maneki Neko. They are at restaurants, shops, and many other places. Sometimes, they have one paw raised. Other times both. The felines bring luck, customers, and money.

It takes a little effort to find them in Setagayas’ backstreets. But, it is worthwhile. Gotokuji Temple is beautiful and even has a pagoda. There are many trees too providing shade. It is a lovely place. And there is a historic cemetery.

You might be surprised on your first visit. The area for the cats is small. They are next to a temple hall, in an area about five meters in length and two meters wide. The statues are on the ground, on other statues, on shelves, and in window frames! Maneki Neko are everywhere.

They are all different sizes, some are large, and others are tiny. But they are all adorable! That cuteness might make you want to take one home.

You can buy them at the temple’s administration building. They come in different sizes and cost between 300 and 5000 yen. The cheaper ones are tiny, only a couple of centimeters high. But, the 5000 yen ones are large.

The cats might even be able to help you fulfill your dreams too! Write your wish on the back of the one you buy and leave it with the other cats. Many people do that.

A Brief History of Gotokuji Temple

Once, another temple, Kotokuin, stood on the site. It was a protector temple of Edo when the daimyo for Hikone province, Naotaka Ii, had a residence in Setagaya. Upon his death, the name changed to Gotokuji.

And the legend of the cats? One story says that while Naotaka was hunting with his falcons. One day a sudden and very violent storm fell upon him. A cat (neko) appeared from a nearby house and seemed to beckon (maneku) to him to enter the grounds. With no other options, he did precisely that and was saved. And that is how the term, Maneki Neko, came into being.

What can you photograph at the temple?

  • The grave of Naosuke Ii. Ii was a daimyo and occupied the office of Tairo (Great Elder) of the Tokugawa government. He was assassinated at the Imperial Palace‘s Sakuradamon (Sakurada gate).
  • Maneki Neko (the cats are perfect for Instagram shots).
  • Omikuji (this is one of few places I’ve seen them tied to trees and not a rack).
  • A three-story pagoda.
  • Temple buildings and Buddhist imagery.
Ii Naosuke tombstone
The Ii Naosuke grave.

Photography tips

It’s typical outdoor photography, nothing complicated. But the cats are between a building and some trees, so they’ll be in deep shade in the morning. As the sun rises, that shade will recede, and you’ll have a sliver of light to use. Then the afternoon will be the opposite. The light fades as the hours go by and darkness returns.

Gotokuji temple main entrance
Gotokuji's main entrance.

How many beckoning cats are there?

At last count, there were about 2000.

cat ema votive tablet
Cat ema (votive tablets).

Other photo spots near Gotokuji Temple

Where is Gotokuji Temple?

Address: 2-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya City, Tokyo

Here it is on a Google map:

Closest train stations:

  • Gotokuji: Odakyu Line
  • Miyanosaka: Tokyo Setagaya Line (this one is much closer)

Opening hours

  • 6 am to 5 pm (temple grounds)
  • 8 am to 3 pm (temple office)

Admission costs

None

Conclusion

I like Gotokuji Temple a lot. The architecture of the main hall is beautiful, and the cats are something different. It also has a piece of Tokyo history with the Ii family graves.

If you like this type of temple, I recommend two others. One of them is Toyokawa Inari Betsuin which has a strong fox theme! The other is Imado shrine which also claims to be the home to the Maneki Neko!

Read about the cats on Wikipedia to learn more. The article is interesting. It’s easy to understand why the Gotokuji Temple felines are beloved.

Picture of Rohan Gillett
Rohan Gillett

Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and okonomiyaki. His camera will capture the entire city one day.

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