# Gotoku-ji, Tokyo > Gotoku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in Setagaya, said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko — the beckoning cat. Shelves by the temple hold thousands of white cat figurines with a raised paw, left by visitors. Entry is free, and you can buy a figurine at the temple office. Take the Odakyu line from Shinjuku to Gotokuji station, then walk 10 minutes. Web page: https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/gotoku-ji - City: [Tokyo](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo), Japan - YesGo score: 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 45 min - Opening hours: Grounds by day; temple office during working hours, usually until mid-afternoon - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free - Highlight: Thousands of white maneki-neko figurines - Figurines: Sold at the temple office — various sizes - School: Soto Zen - Pagoda: Three storeys, with carved cats - Getting there: Odakyu to Gotokuji or the Setagaya tram to Miyanosaka - Coordinates: 35.64877, 139.64742 - Facts checked: 09.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1480** — the year the temple was founded — then called Kotoku-in (source: en.wikipedia) - **1659** — the temple took the name Gotoku-ji (source: en.wikipedia) - **Soto** — the school of Zen Buddhism the temple belongs to (source: en.wikipedia) - **Ii clan** — lords of Hikone — it was their family temple (source: en.wikipedia) - **'Cat temple'** — its nickname, from the maneki-neko figurines (source: en.wikipedia) - **Thousands** — of white raised-paw cats line the shelves (source: travel guides) - **Pagoda** — three storeys, with carved cat figures (source: travel guides) - **¥0** — to enter the grounds (source: travel 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 to leave your own cat** By tradition, you buy a maneki-neko figurine at the temple office when you make a wish, and when it comes true you return it to the temple to join the others on the shelves. Figurines come in different sizes. It's a working temple: speak quietly, don't touch or move other people's figurines, and take photos without flash. ## 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 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-ji | Senso-ji | | --- | --- | --- | | Atmosphere | A quiet residential area | A bustling tourist hub | | Highlight | Thousands of maneki-neko | The lantern gate and main hall | | Crowds | Light | Very heavy | | Entry | Free | Free | ## 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 - [ ] Arrive by day — while the office is open - [ ] Cash for a maneki-neko figurine - [ ] Quiet and respect for the temple - [ ] Photos without flash - [ ] A ride on the Setagaya tram ## Tokyo temples: compare and choose Temples and shrines in Tokyo rated by YesGo. - [Senso-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/senso-ji) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free - [Meiji Jingu](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/meiji-jingu) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free; Gyoen garden paid - [Zojo-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/zojo-ji) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · free; gallery ¥700 - [Nezu Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/nezu-shrine) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free; azalea garden paid in spring - [Yanaka](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/yanaka) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free - [Gotoku-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/gotoku-ji) — YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free - [Mount Takao](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/mount-takao) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · free; cable car ≈ ¥490 ## 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-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/gotoku-ji) — YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free 2. [Shibuya Crossing](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/shibuya-crossing) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · free; Shibuya Sky ≈ ¥2,700–3,400 3. [Meiji Jingu](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/meiji-jingu) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · free; Gyoen garden paid ## Good to know Gotoku-ji in Setagaya is not Japan's other 'cat temples' or the maneki-neko shrines of Asakusa. Beckoning cats are sold all over the country, but this temple is considered the figurine's birthplace. ## Tips - 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](https://yesgo.io/japan/tokyo/shibuya-crossing). ## 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. ## How we checked The 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. ## Sources - 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 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.