OHAYO~! My gosh, our previous trip to Japan in 2016 didn’t feel too long ago and it was a very impromptu yet spontaneous decision on our part to book another trip to the Land of the Rising Sun this year! I left my previous company because I was so sick and tired of being a full-time working mum, and just felt like I needed to take a break from everything. Fast forward a few months later, I’m almost using up all my leaves at my current workplace for this trip. LOL. Oh wells, I suppose my itchy butt cannot stay at home for too long 😛
We jio-ed my parents along for this trip as we share a love for Japanese temples and shrines. Their last trip to Japan was a decade ago, so it’s time for some refresh and update! I was doing my research and stumbled upon this interesting and cute temple in Tokyo, Gotokuji Temple, otherwise known as Maneki Neko Temple or Lucky Cat Temple. I call it the CONFIRM HUAT TEMPLE. Hahaha. Go already come back sure strike 4D, Toto, Big Sweep, get big big bonus! HUAT AH!
Gotokuji Temple, located in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward, is a Buddhist temple that has an interesting story behind it, citing the temple as the birthplace of the Maneki Neko. These cats sit upright with their right paws beckoning luck and fortune, and are immensely popular enough to have their own worshippers from all over the world.
According to a temple legend, during the Edo period in the early 17th century, feudal lord Naotaka li and his servants were trying to escape from a thunderstorm and was led to safety after a cat beckoned with its right paw, inviting them into the temple. Since then, it is believed that the Maneki Neko brings good luck.
Today, hundreds of Maneki Neko figurines can be found at Gotokuji Temple Tokyo.
Hundreds of them in different sizes.
OMG don’t they all look so adorable? I love the teeny weeny ones! 😀
Rain or shine, may the HUAT be with you!
Before saying your prayers, you should first cleanse yourselves by washing your hands at the entrance of the temple.
I’m not sure where the water comes from but I drank a few mouthfuls by mistake from the bottle that my mum filled up with but thankfully, nothing untoward happened to me over the next few days.
Place both palms together and pray earnestly.
Swing the rope firmly to ring the bell.
Make a money offering.
I love this place already. The attention to detail is AMEOWZING!
Another reason why I love visiting Japanese temples is because I enjoying seeing the beautiful designs of the small wooden plaques (ema in Japanese) that are unique to each temple. Worshippers write their prayers or wishes on these plaques and hang them up at the temple, where the gods are believed to retrieve them.
2018 is the year of the Dog (chinese zodiac), hence the ema features the dog in addition to the Maneki Neko.
There is a small shop within Gotokuji Temple which sells various Maneki Neko souvenirs and good luck charms.
Good things come in small packages. Teeny weeny cute little Maneki Neko, you are coming home with us! Purrrrfect! 😉
Chanelle and Cayla were thrilled to see so many lucky cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple Tokyo too! A word of caution, these figurines are made of ceramic so always be extra careful. Cayla knocked over a large figurine with her foot on purpose and thankfully, it didn’t break. It was definitely a heart-stopping moment for us!
I think we spent slightly more than an hour at the temple, oohing and ahhing at the lucky cat figurines, in addition to taking plenty of photos. If you are heading to Japan, I strongly recommend setting aside some time to visit Gotokuji Temple Tokyo!
We travelled from Shibuya Station to Gotokuji Temple, which took about an hour of travelling time. If you are not travelling with young children, it should take you under an hour 😉
How to get there?
1) From Shibuya station to Sangen-Jaya station (2 stops via Tōkyū Den-en-toshi Line)
2) From Sangen-Jaya station to Miyanosaka station (6 stops via Tōkyū Setagaya Line)
3) Walk from Miyanosaka station to Gotokuji Temple (between 600m to 800m, Google maps may lead you to other gates that are closed so keep on walking along the parameter of the temple)
Hope you have a pawsome time at Gotokuji Temple Tokyo!
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Gotokuji Temple Tokyo 豪徳寺
Address: 〒154-0021 東京都世田谷区豪徳寺２丁目２４−７
Nearest Station: Miyanosaka Station (Tokyu Setagaya Line)
Opening Hours: Daily from 6am to 6pm
Admission Fee: Free