A Local’s Guide to Gotokuji Temple
One of my Local Temples is the Famous Cat Temple
A favourite local temple in Setagaya ward, I’m so happy that for me I can easily walk or cycle here and really call it a local temple. Gotokuji is a Soto school temple on wide expansive grounds that are picturesque throughout all the seasons. It is located in a quiet, peaceful residential area surrounded by lush pine trees, plum & cherry blossom trees, Japanese maple and many other beautiful flowers and foliage.
Originally once the family temple of the Ii family (former lords of the Hikone domain during the Edo Period), over time the family has donated may important cultural assets and family heirlooms to Gotokuji. The Ii family’s cemetery lies on the grounds, with several monuments and tombstones raised to important family members. Since 2008, it is now designated as a national historic site.
Several beautiful temple halls, traditional Japanese gates, enshrining statues, buddhas and other cultural treasures are dotted throughout the grounds, so one has plenty to appreciate, observe, and even enter if you so wish. One will immediately notice the beautiful pagoda Sanju-no-to on the grounds, which is especially beautiful in Autumn. There is also a beautiful tea room “Muni-an” which has views of the pretty Japanese garden.
The main temple gate (featured below) Sanmon “Hekiunseki” is said to mean “A gate built to separate the outside world and the precinct.”
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The Kawaii Manekineko
Renown for it’s temple grounds decorated with Japan’s Manekineko; the legend of why the Manekineko are found dotted through the temple grounds comes from the story that one day the Lord Naotaka Ii (ruler of the Hikone domain) was returning from a day of falconry when a cat beckoned him through the temple’s gates. During his time exploring the temple, and talking to the temple master, the Lord Naotaka Ii avoided a large thunderstorm, which he attributed to the cat beckoning him in.
Subsequently the temple Shofuku-den was created to enshrine the lucky cat, naming it as "Manekineko". and many people continue to visit and purchase the Manekineko statue too pray for well-being for the family, prosperous business, luck and happiness.
Some Little Things to Note
The Manekineko statues can only be found around the Shofuku-den, and the shelves are quite low - it is not something that encompasses the entire temple and stands over you. If you want a photo amidst the manekineko looking like they are all around you, you will be squatting.
Make time to check out the intricate carving details on the Pagoda Sanju-no-to, where one will find the 12 Zodiac animals depicted on its being. If you look closely you will see cat carvings too placed near some of the zodiac animals, playing on the theme that even though the cat was tricked out of becoming a Zodiac, it can still get along with the other animals. If you can’t see them, don’t be surprised if some elderly locals who live around the area and volunteer at the temple, will come up and help you to see them. They also have laminated little folders of photos showing you where the cat carvings are.
UPDATE 2026: Over the last couple years, the area housing the Manekineko statues was being renovated and restored. Now its finished - so do enjoy wandering through the small area. Remember its not huge and be considerate of others there, especially the locals who visit their deceased loved ones.
Enjoy the Seasons in Gotokuji
Though many overseas visitors come to the temple for the cute Manekineko, the temple is truly beautiful in all seasons. One of my favourite things to do is either walk/cycle down with a book, a bit of tea, a little snack, have a meander around the grounds and sit down and read my book. Perhaps the temple is most famous for its beautiful autumn foliage which wonderfully frames the pagoda and other buildings. However if you can, you should take a wander whenever you can. Considering how easily accessible it is for me, I should really visit more. One year I will hopefully get to see it with snow.
Beautiful Spring at Gotokuji
For those chasing plum or cherry blossoms or even wisteria, Gotokuji is a lovely peaceful area to enjoy. Depending on when you visit in Spring, you will be able to catch something, for not only does the temple have the classic somei-yoshino sakura, there is also the late blooming yaezakura, and if you miss that the grounds covered in cherry blossom petals is truly lovely. That same time, you will probably see the wisteria growing too as the cherry blossoms fall.
Take note of the beautiful peonies in bloom if you’re so lucky.
Whenever you visit, you will see beauty.
UPDATE 2026: I was really sad to discover this in Spring. The pathways leading to the graves are now closed off from the public due to bad tourist behaviour. It’s only available to the families who loved ones lie sleeping there. Please be respectful. These spring photos were taken several years ago when there was no such restriction.
Spot the Local Art & Statues Dotted Around the Area
There’s a range of different local streets you can take to reach Gotokuji Temple, depending which train station you arrive at. Gotokuji Station itself has a large stone Manekineko statue greeting travellers as you exit the station (I’ve always forgotten to take a photo since I don’t visit via train). Otherwise as you walk along, see if you can spot other tributes to the beloved Manekineko.
Where to Pick Yourself Up Some Local Manekineko Souvenirs
The most obvious place is the temple itself, where you can purchase the Temple’s Goshuin (calligraphy stamp) for 300JPY. I’ve never bought one simply because I’m not an avid collector of traditional Goshuin (I’ve got a few from places around Japan but I don’t pick one up from every temple & shrine).
The temple is where you can also purchase the official maneki-neko figurines to place around the temple grounds (or take home with you). They range in price from 500JPY - 10,000JPY depending on size. There is also the traditional Omamori (amulets) available as well.
REMEMBER: CASH ONLY and the Temple Office Hours are from 8am - 3pm
Right by Gotokuji Station, next to the secondhand shop “Recycle Tifana” is a little shop (which is also a real-estate agent apparently - that threw hubby and I when we first walked past one morning stroll) — that sells a wide range of pretty cute Maneki-neko souvenirs from t-shirts, caps, figurines, stationary (some made by local artists and designers, which is nice to see!) etc. It also has a cute free stamp for those who love to collect stamps at train stations etc, and love to journal. You can also store your luggage there for a fee as well, if you don’t want to lug it around whilst you’re off exploring.
The official Gotokuji station stamp - is located right next to the stone statue outside Gotokuji ticket gates.
Little Things I Picked Up for my Journalling
For years I’ve wanted to journal, but never really got into it/found the tools I liked. Finally discovered a system that works for me, and even though I have over 15+ years of Japan adventures I’ve never documented in a journal - one’s got to start somewhere. Plus I find it a nice break from screentime and the studio.
From the random “real estate/gift shop” I picked up the cute cat memo pad (has four different designs - super cute!), and several Japanese washi tape, depicting scenes of Japan, Tokyo, Sumo (pays homage to the local shrine next to Gotokuji - Setagaya Hachiman Shrine - where an earthern Sumo wrestling ground is still used). I also made sure to get both stamps, the white & red one from of the Manekineko from the store itself, whilst the round red one with the train is the station stamp.
The bottom washi tape (the red, white & black manekineko) on my journal pages was bought from a local stationary store “AIEOU” in Yamashiro Onsen.
ACCESS
BY TRAIN
SHINJUKU STATION (ODAKYU LINE) - GOTOKUJI STATION (15MIN WALK)
SANGENJAYA STATION (SETAGAYA LINE) - MIYANOSAKA STATION (5MIN WALK)
WEBSITE: GOTOKUJI
