Mar 13, 2013 - 1 min read

Gotokuji Temple, Setagaya

The 'lucky cat' surrounded by a Zen like atmosphere

By Nicole Bauer

Community writer

Perfection at Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya

Maneki Neko, the 'lucky cat'

Hundreds of cat statues of different sizes are lined up in one area

Wooden wishing plaques, called Ema, certainly feature the cat too

An impressive pagoda can be found right after the main entrance to the left

Wonderful gates separate different areas and buildings from each other

I just love these old wooden buildings

Lovely corridor along one of them

Of course, the traditional stone lantern can be found on the grounds too

Most of the buildings and gates are quite low, which made me feel to have travelled back in time

Ever since I read Emily's article about Gotokuji being the birthplace of Maneki Neko, the 'waving cat' (see related article link below), I wanted to go there. I wasn't sure what to expect apart from hundreds of little cat statues, but in the end I was overwhelmed by the extensive temple grounds and its Zen like atmosphere—at least it felt 'Zen' to me. A very inspiring and peaceful place; maybe my new favorite in Tokyo?

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Find out more about Gotokuji Temple.

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Nicole Bauer

By Nicole Bauer

Community writer

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Elena Lisina

Elena Lisina 5 years ago

I'd like to visit it! It's nice and very special, indeed.

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