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It’s the Buddhist temple that’s home to thousands of white waving cats, but why are they there, and how do you get to Gotokuji? Our guide gives you all the advice you need.
I first went to Gotokuji in 2018 when the area with the cats in it was quite small. When I went back to visit it again on a recent trip, it had doubled in size; people have started leaving pictures of their own cats there – and the china kitties were being displayed in all sorts of fun ways.
It’s very cute, and fantastic for photography, but why is it there?
As is normal with many cool shrines and temples in Japan, there’s a legend.
Why Gotokuji is Known for Waving Cats
The story goes that one day, an important Japanese lord was passing Gotokuji. Sitting by the entrance was a cat that appeared to raise its paw, as though beckoning him inside.
Curious, the lord followed the cat into the temple grounds. Moments later, a violent thunderstorm started. Believing the cat had saved his life, the lord became a patron of the temple, providing the funds to keep it going.
Over time, the temple became associated with the maneki-neko – the famous waving cat believed to bring good fortune.
However, there’s a key difference.
The shrine points out that normally, maneki-neko hold a gold coin in one paw, but the ones displayed at the shrine don’t have this. They explain that the cats here don’t directly bring wealth or success; instead, they offer opportunities and good relationships – it’s up to you to capitalise on those.
What is There to See?
Although the cats are the main attraction, there’s plenty more to explore around the temple grounds. The shrine map pinpoints 13 of them!
Obviously, you will find the main prayer halls that contain important Buddhist statues, but also look out for…
- The wooden three-storey pagoda, where carved cats are hidden among the animals carved on the sides
- The temple bell. It’s the oldest bell in the area and praised for its design
- The cemetery behind the shrine is that of the lord’s family – the li family – and he is buried there.
- The flowers and trees. The temple is surrounded by huge grounds, with many seasonal trees and flowers planted within them. Depending on when you visit, you might see cherry blossoms, wisteria, iris or a display of vibrant autumn leaves.
- The cute vending machine – it’s down by the toilets, but it has waving cats on it.
Take your time wandering around – I have been to the temple twice, I have looked at the pagoda twice, I did not at any point register that there is actually a waving cat among the carvings, and three other cat carvings as part of the displays.
Buying Your Own Waving Cat
While you can just admire the thousands of cats here, you can also buy your own maneki-neko from the temple office.
The cats are available in a range of sizes, from tiny figurines just a few centimetres high to much larger versions. They often sell out on busy days, particularly the larger sizes, so visiting earlier in the day gives you the best chance of finding the one you want.
What Do You Do With It?
Technically, when you buy the cat, you are supposed to wish for good fortune or something else positive you hope will happen.
You then take it home, keep it somewhere meaningful, and, once your wish comes true or you achieve your fortune, you bring the cat back to Gotokuji and leave it there to say thanks.
Many overseas visitors, though, are buying the cats and just leaving them in the display – and something I noticed on my recent trip back to the shrine is that there are also pictures of people’s cats being added as well, which is a cute, if slightly untraditional touch.
The shrine has published a list of instructions for the cats, which also asks people not to write on the cats. Whether they’ll add something about not adding photos too remains to be seen, so check the notice before you do anything.
If you don’t want to buy a cat, you can also buy prayer plaques with cats on them, which many people use to wish for good health for their own pets, amulets and a goshuin-cho with waving cats.
The temple shop also has other, non-spiritual goods like tote bags and chopsticks embellished with the cat!
Opening Hours
Do not get caught out here.
While the shrine grounds open from 6 am to 5 pm (it’s one of our top things to do in Tokyo in the morning), the office where you can buy your own waving cat to place at the shrine or collect goshuin is only open between 8 am and 3 pm
That closing time is a little bit earlier than many shrines, so don’t arrive too late if you want to leave a cat, write a prayer plaque or collect a goshuin.
How to Get There
Gotokuji Temple is located in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward.
From central Tokyo, most visitors can reach the temple in around 30 – 40 minutes.
By Train
Take the Odakyu Line: Get off at Gotokuji Station, then walk for around 15 minutes.
By Tram
Take the Tokyu Setagaya Line: Get off at Miyanosaka Station, then walk for around 5 minutes.
The tram route also has a very cute cat-shaped tram running on it. I haven’t been able to use this yet, but if you want to, the timetable is published a week in advance. It starts at Sangenjaya Station.
If you want to be sure of catching it, take it to the shrine, as the exact times are not published for the return journey. The times vary each day and week by week, so check it in the days before you go.
Is It the Only Cat Shrine in Tokyo?
No – there’s also the Kogamome Myogi Shrine, which celebrates black cats – and Imado Shrine, a shrine in Asakusa that also has a waving cat motif.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve travelled to Japan nine times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 50 towns and cities. My last visit was in April 2026, so everything here is pretty up to date.