Tokyo’s “Maneki-neko Shrine” at Gotokuji Temple – Luck and Wealth Come with a Wave

By Rita

Maneki-neko, or the "beckoning cat," is a familiar sight to many. Often placed on counters in shops, its raised paw symbolizes bringing good luck and fortune into the store. Loved by business owners, it's popular not only in Japan but across Asia, transcending religion and national borders. But its true home lies at Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya, Tokyo.

▲ Maneki-neko (Photo /http://sp.4travel.jp/calendar/2013/pict/2580/)

According to travel website Lonely Planet, Gotokuji Temple is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in the outskirts of Tokyo and can easily be missed if you’re not paying attention. Compared to other famous temples in Tokyo, this one is much smaller, but its size doesn’t diminish its appeal. It’s a truly beautiful shrine, featuring maple trees, ginkgoes, cherry blossoms, and the classic look of a traditional Japanese garden — and the stars of the show, the maneki-neko, sit on shelves by the hundreds for all to see.

▲ A view of Gotokuji Temple (Photo /http://www.kmine.sakura.ne.jp/tokyo/jinjyabukaku/goutokuji/goutokuji.htm)

There are many legends about the origins of the maneki-neko, but the most well-known traces back to the Edo period: a wealthy feudal lord from Hikone (now Shiga Prefecture) was taking shelter from a thunderstorm near Gotokuji Temple. Amidst the lightning and rain, he noticed a cat beckoning him over, so he followed it. Moments later, the tree he had been standing under was struck by lightning. Out of gratitude, the lord donated a large sum of money to renovate the temple. It’s said that the very first maneki-neko was modeled after the cat the lord encountered.

Over time, it became a tradition for people to place a maneki-neko at the temple after their wishes came true, as a gesture of thanks.

Gotokuji Temple
Address: 2-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya, Tokyo
Access: 15-minute walk from Gotokuji Station / 5-minute walk from Miyanosaka Station