Gotokuji Temple

Gotokuji Temple (豪徳寺) is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Setagaya, Tokyo, renowned as the birthplace of the Maneki-neko (beckoning cat). The origin of the beckoning cat dates back to the early Edo period and is based on an intriguing anecdote passed down through the temple’s history.

According to the legend, one day, Ii Naotaka, the feudal lord of Hikone, was passing by the temple on his way back from a hawking expedition when he noticed a cat beckoning to him from the temple gate. Intrigued, Naotaka followed the cat into the temple grounds. Suddenly, a thunderstorm broke out. Thanks to the cat, Naotaka was able to avoid getting caught in the rain. Moved by this stroke of good fortune, he decided to support and restore the temple. This event led to Gotokuji becoming the family temple of the Ii clan.

At Gotokuji, the cat that brought good fortune is referred to as “Manekineko” (beckoning cat), and a special hall called Shofukuden has been built to enshrine it. The beckoning cats at Gotokuji have distinctive features. They raise their right paw, symbolizing the invitation of money and good fortune. Interestingly, they don’t hold a gold coin, reflecting the belief that while the beckoning cat provides opportunities, it’s up to individuals to seize them and create their own fortune. The simple design is said to be modeled after “Tama,” the white cat that brought good luck to the temple about 400 years ago.

The temple grounds feature the Shofukuden hall, which attracts many visitors praying for household safety, business prosperity, and good fortune. There’s also a dedication area where about 10,000 beckoning cats of various sizes have been offered. The three-storied pagoda, completed in 2006, is adorned with decorations of the twelve zodiac animals and beckoning cats, with a total of 13 cat sculptures hidden throughout the structure.

The area surrounding Gotokuji is filled with shops selling goods and sweets featuring the beckoning cat motif. Even the Tokyu Setagaya Line has train cars decorated with beckoning cat designs, enveloping the entire neighborhood in the world of the Maneki-neko.

Getting there

1. From Shinjuku Station:
   Take the Odakyu Line to Gotokuji Station. From there, you can either:

• Walk for about 15 minutes to the temple
• Transfer to the Tokyu Setagaya Line and get off at Miyanosaka Station, which is a 5-minute walk from the temple

2. From Shibuya Station:
   Take the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line to Sangenjaya Station, then transfer to the Tokyu Setagaya Line and get off at Miyanosaka Station. The temple is a 5-minute walk from there.
3. From other parts of Tokyo:
   Make your way to Shinjuku or Shibuya stations and follow the above directions.

Details

hours	6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission	Free
Phone	03-3426-1437
Address	2 Chome-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0021
Official Website	https://gotokuji.jp/