Last Updated: May 21, 2022

Tokyo’s Gotoku-ji

The Birthplace of Japan’s Maneki Neko

If you’ve spent any time on the Gram and follow accounts related to Japan, chances are high that you’ve seen the topic of today’s article at one point or another. Known as Gotoku-ji, this quaint temple is famous online for its large collection of maneki neko (those beckoning cat statues that you’ll often find in shops). Though you’ll often encounter a one-off maneki neko at vendors all across Japan, few other locations can boast the sheer volume that you’ll find at Gotoku-ji. As can be seen above, taken in aggregate, these feline effigies create the perfect piece of content for social media.

Of course, as my astute readers have likely already realized, there’s an explanation to be had here. While the history remains a bit fuzzy, the generally accepted narrative is that Gotoku-ji is the maneki neko’s place of origin. According to local legends, the head monk of Gotoku-ji had a cat that he cared deeply for. One day, a feudal lord hailing from my beloved Hikone Castle was passing by the temple. Allegedly, the cat beckoned him inside just as a violent thunderstorm was brewing outside. Thereafter, the monk safely sheltered the lord and his entourage until the storm’s wrath had abated.