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Gotoku-ji, Tokyo

Shelves packed with hundreds of white maneki-neko beckoning cat figurines at Gotoku-ji temple among autumn trees
Photo: Laika ac from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free
Hours
Grounds by day; temple office during working hours, usually until mid-afternoon
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
45 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Highlight
Thousands of white maneki-neko figurines
Figurines
Sold at the temple office — various sizes
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
School
Soto Zen
Pagoda
Three storeys, with carved cats
Getting there
Odakyu to Gotokuji or the Setagaya tram to Miyanosaka
Coordinates
35.64877, 139.64742YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1480the year the temple was founded — then called Kotoku-in
Sourceen.wikipedia
1659the temple took the name Gotoku-ji
Sourceen.wikipedia
Sotothe school of Zen Buddhism the temple belongs to
Sourceen.wikipedia
Ii clanlords of Hikone — it was their family temple
Sourceen.wikipedia
'Cat temple'its nickname, from the maneki-neko figurines
Sourceen.wikipedia
Thousandsof white raised-paw cats line the shelves
Sourcetravel guides
Pagodathree storeys, with carved cat figures
Sourcetravel guides
¥0to enter the grounds
Sourcetravel guides

What is Gotoku-ji?

Gotoku-ji is a Soto Zen temple in the quiet residential ward of Setagaya in western Tokyo. It was founded in 1480 as Kotoku-in and renamed in 1659 in honour of the second lord of the Hikone domain from the Ii clan, who made it his family temple.

Today it's known as the 'cat temple': it's said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, the figurine of a cat with a raised paw that's believed to beckon good luck. Local legend says the temple cat once beckoned to Lord Ii as he passed; he stepped inside and sheltered from a sudden storm — and ever since, the cat has been seen as a bringer of luck.

How the temple works

The grounds are small and green: a pine avenue, the main hall, a bell tower and a three-storey pagoda whose carvings hide cats — fun to spot. The best-known spot is the Shofukuden hall and the shelves beside it, where thousands of white cats stand in tight rows.

Entry is free. Maneki-neko figurines are sold at the temple office, which is open by day and closes before the grounds, so come by mid-afternoon if you want one. The Ii clan's graves are also here — please be respectful.

What to see

  • Shelves of thousands of maneki-neko by the hall.
  • The three-storey pagoda with carved cats.
  • The main hall and bell tower.
  • The pine avenue at the entrance.
  • The temple office — a figurine for luck.
  • Setagaya's quiet streets around the temple.

How to get to Gotoku-ji

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

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Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. From Shinjuku — Odakyu line to Gotokuji station, about 15–20 minutes, then about 10 minutes on foot.
  2. Setagaya tram — to Miyanosaka stop, about 5 minutes on foot.
  3. From Shibuya — Den-en-toshi line to Sangenjaya, then the Setagaya tram.
  4. From Gotokuji station — follow the signs through the quiet residential streets.
  5. From Haneda airport — to Shinjuku or Shibuya, then as above, about 1–1.5 hours.

Gotoku-ji or Senso-ji

Gotoku-jiyou are hereA quiet residential areaThousands of maneki-nekoLightFree
Senso-jiA bustling tourist hubThe lantern gate and main hallVery heavyFree

How long do you need?

Allow 30–45 minutes for the temple. It pairs nicely with a ride on the old Setagaya tram — one of Tokyo's two tram lines — and cafés in nearby Sangenjaya.

Come in the morning or afternoon on a weekday: the temple is quiet and the office with the figurines is open.

Is Gotoku-ji worth visiting?

Yes, if you love cats and unusual places: shelves of thousands of white figurines are one of Tokyo's sweetest, most photogenic sights, and there are few tourists.

The YesGo take: the temple is small, and the trip from the centre takes 30–40 minutes. Go for the cats and the calm, combine it with the Setagaya tram, and don't plan a whole day here.

Before you go: checklist

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Tokyo temples: compare and choose

Temples and shrines in Tokyo rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Senso-ji511 hFree15.3 km
Meiji Jingu501 hfree; Gyoen garden paid5.6 km
Zojo-ji4240 minFree9.2 km
Nezu Shrine3930 minFree13.0 km
Yanaka361 h 30 minFree13.7 km
Gotoku-jiyou are here3245 minFree—
Mount Takao214 hFree36.6 km

West Tokyo in a day

Gotoku-ji in the morning, Shibuya Crossing in the afternoon, and Meiji Jingu and Harajuku in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Gotoku-jiyou are here45 min · free
  2. 86 min walk from the previous stopShibuya Crossing30 min · free; Shibuya Sky ≈ ¥2,700–3,400
  3. 32 min walk from the previous stopMeiji Jingu1 h · free; Gyoen garden paid

3 places · about 4 h 13 min with walks · 118 min on foot in total

Go · my route

How to do it right

  • Buy your figurine at the temple office.
  • Wish came true? Return the cat to the shelf.
  • Don't touch other people's figurines.
  • Look for cats in the pagoda carvings.
  • Afterwards: Shibuya.

Questions

How much does Gotoku-ji cost?

Entry is free.

Why is it called the cat temple?

It's considered the birthplace of the maneki-neko, and thousands of white cat figurines stand there.

Where can I buy a maneki-neko?

At the temple office, during its opening hours.

How do I get there?

Odakyu line from Shinjuku to Gotokuji station, then 10 minutes on foot.

Can you take photos?

Yes, without flash and without disturbing worshippers.

Which school of Buddhism is it?

Soto Zen.

How long do you need?

30–45 minutes.

When is the best time to go?

Weekday mornings or afternoons, while the office is open.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English Wikipedia: Gōtoku-ji — school, 1480 founding, 1659 renaming, Ii clan, 'cat temple'
  • Travel guides (GO TOKYO, Tokyo Cheapo and others) — cat legend, figurines, pagoda, access (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q11634381 — coordinates
  • YesGo general facts for Japan — transport
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 09.11.2026 ·
How we checkedThe school, founding year, renaming, the Ii clan connection and the 'cat temple' nickname are from Wikipedia. The beckoning-cat legend, figurine sales, pagoda and access are from guides. Sources disagree on the temple office's hours, so we don't give exact times. We don't detail the Ii clan's graves.

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