Final Up to date on twenty ninth April 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
Situated in Setagaya, certainly one of Tokyo’s trendiest residential neighbourhoods, you’ll discover Tokyo’s Fortunate Cat Temple, Gōtokuji. Stuffed with statues of the famend and beloved beckoning cat so far as the attention can see, this has develop into a haven for cat-lovers of the world. In the event you’re searching for luck then you definitely’re in the appropriate place, right here’s an insider’s information on tips on how to go to Gōtokuji and what to know earlier than you go.
Why are cats so necessary in Japanese tradition?
For hundreds of years that date again to the Egyptian occasions, cats have been thought of auspicious creatures, thought to own protecting qualities and produce success. In Japanese tradition this stays to be the identical case. However why do cats maintain a lot mythic energy in Japan?
It’s typically thought that the primary cat would have been imported to Japan within the sixth century, across the identical time that Buddhism was based. It’s stated that cats had been treasured for his or her capacity to scare away mice and defend sacred texts from the injury rodents may trigger.
Looking apart, these small but mighty mammals (…if you happen to’re a cat lover you’ll know what I imply) are thought to own success, bringing wealth and luck whereas additionally heading off evil spirits.
Cats are all over the place in Japan. Japanese common tradition is cat-heavy, from Hi there Kitty, Mankei Neko and even the bakeneko (which is a supernatural cat monster), the listing is really countless and fairly fascinating if you happen to dive deep into Japan’s historical past and relationship to the small furry felines.
You’ll additionally discover strolling round that lots of the retailers and eating places have the Mankei Neko determine waving of their entrance window, that is with the idea it can convey success to the enterprise proprietor.
What’s Mankei Neko?
Maneki-neko, 招き猫, interprets to ‘beckoning cat‘ and is a well-liked Japanese figurine that’s stated to convey good luck to its proprietor.
These fortunate cats can are available quite a lot of colors, however mostly in black, gold, white, or purple. They’re normally made out of ceramic or plastic, however do you know that there are totally different types?
If the cat is elevating their left paw, then they’re a feminine cat and may also help to get extra prospects and construct good relationships. In the event that they’re elevating their proper paw, then they’re a male cat and produce wealth and good luck. If each paws are raised, the cat is claimed to supply safety!
Historical past of Gōtokuji
Gōtokuji temple is among the most iconic architectural landmarks and historic websites within the neighbourhood of Setagaya.
The historical past of the temple dates again to the seventeenth century and the legend goes that Ii Naotaka (a Japanese daimyō of the early Edo interval who labored for Ieyasu Tokugawa) escaped an sudden thunderstorm after noticing a small cat waving, beckoning him to take shelter within the close by temple.
Naotaka made Gōtokuji his household temple, and to indicate his gratitude to the cat for its hospitality he devoted the temple to the little white cat that beckoned him. From then on, Gōtokuji temple has been thought of to be the birthplace of the beloved figurine, Maneki-neko.
For that reason, upon visiting Gōtokuji temple you’ll be blessed with the view of hundreds of cats so far as the attention can see!
Highlights of the Mankei Neko Temple
Cherry blossoms
Throughout sakura season this is among the greatest locations to see stunning pink blooms set towards the backdrop of a tranquil and serene temple. We visited simply after peak season and it was beautiful to see all the cherry blossoms float down because the wind began to blow them away for one more finish to the sakura season.
Pagoda
The three-storied wood pagoda is intricately carved with numerous zodiac indicators and if you happen to look intently you’ll be capable to see that there are additionally cats carved into the wooden too!
Fortunate cats (Mankei-neko)
Sadly there are not any actual cats on the temple, nevertheless, fortunately there are hundreds upon hundreds of Maneki-neko collectible figurines of various sizes. To be trustworthy, dozens of white cats hanging the identical waving pose with their unreadable expressions is kind of unnerving, however they’re stated to convey success and likewise make for a cool photograph!
Gokokuji Cemetery
Situated within the east of the temple grounds, you can too go to the cemetery which is completely dwelling to Imperial graves, subsequently it’s a resting floor for a lot of important figures of Japanese historical past.
Can you purchase a fortunate cat at Gōtokuji?
Sure, you should purchase a fortunate cat! There are various sizes accessible (from the teeny tiny to the gorgeous giant) on the Temple’s reception throughout opening hours. As a result of reputation of the cats, they’re restricted to 1 per particular person.
Sadly, throughout our go to, we additionally famous that the bigger cat sizes had all bought out and so we ended up buying two medium sized ones. You possibly can both go away your cat on the Temple or alternatively take it dwelling with you and return to Gōtokuji as soon as your want has been fulfilled.
The one factor is that’s requested from guests who’re buying the cats is that they shouldn’t be written or scribbled on as they’re thought of sacred. In the event you want to write down your want on the temple, then you can purchase an ema, somewhat wood plaque that you just affix to a board throughout the temple grounds.
In the event you select to convey one dwelling, remember to place it able with a number of foot visitors, comparable to in your lounge or on the entrance to your own home and Mankei-neko like to be round individuals!
Learn how to go to Gōtokuji
The cat temple is free to go to, even throughout cherry blossom season, and was truly fairly quiet resulting from its secluded location removed from the centre of Tokyo.
A small mankei neko statue will be discovered reverse the pagoda, that is the signal that you just’re in the appropriate place- that is the doorway to the internal a part of the temple the place all the mankei neko statues will be discovered!
Whenever you’re visiting, you’ll discover a number of enjoyable little touches associated to the fortunate cats. For instance, the merchandising machine near the bathroom block within the automotive park is roofed in illustrations of Mankei-neko. The various companies surrounding the temple are additionally dwelling to loads of fortunate cat collectible figurines!
The closest practice station has practice carriages whose outsides are illustrated with cats, whereas their interiors have handles which are within the form of a neko mankei! Sadly solely round one out of ten of the trains that serve the station near Gōtokuji are Mankeineko trains so hopefully you’ll get fortunate and be capable to hop onto one.
It’s additionally price noting, a number of the native cafes/companies within the space sometimes don’t open till 10AM and are closed on Mondays, so bear this in thoughts if visiting earlier than.
If you’re visiting Japan for longer and occur to be heading to the countryside surrounding Nagoya, then you’ll be able to go to the Manekineko Museum! The museum boasts over 5000 fortunate cats inside its collections of all sorts of shapes and sizes.
Opening occasions: The temple is open each day from 6AM-6PM and is free to go to.
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Charlotte is a photographer, cat lover and an avid knitter. When she’s not curled up on the couch along with her latest knitting mission (and Rico her cat!) yow will discover her out and about on lengthy walks. At the moment dwelling within the magical metropolis of Edinburgh, she appears to be like ahead to travelling and seeing extra of the world!