Beautifully landscaped temple with a special twist. Indeed, the place bares an impressive collection of various sized Maneki-neko figurines. You want to soak in a little bit of good luck vibes? There's the spot. You'll also walk around the grounds and feel the peacefulness of its beauty for sure. We visited in early November at sunset and the warm sunlight over the fall colors was just perfect !

An absolute delight! My girlfriend and I absolutely loved our time at the temple! It is situated in a very beautiful and quiet neighborhood that was a delight to stroll through. The temple grounds are immaculately kept with signs in English directing you to the activities available such as getting your fortune told and hanging a prayer sign. The ever growing collection of the original waving cat was an incongruous and delightful section of the serene grounds. Give yourself an hour to stroll through the beautiful temple, snap some pics, and buy a cute souvenir cat to bring yourself good luck!

Not many tourists or visitors during my visit here in late Oct 23. Entrance is free of charge. The temple is very peaceful and quiet, the place was very well maintained just like most Japanese Temples. You can enhance your experience going there taking the cat themed train as well. Highly recommended to visit.

A very beautiful and unique temple known for its lucky cats. It’s fairly easy to get to from Shinjuku station, the walk to the temple was quiet and peaceful. The temple wasn’t particularly busy but due to the likes of Instagram it is full of tourists but most people were respectful. At the moment there is a sign outside the temple stating they were sold out of lucky cats which is the main draw. I would say it’s worth the visit there is a cute nearby tram that you can catch which was fun.

Took a slow walk through a sleepy town from the rail station. There are food stalls, flower shops, supermarkets along the way. The temple is indeed an interesting visit. 1000s of lucky cats filled the entrance to the temple. Nice walk and after the temple, you can also stroll into the cemetery. So peaceful and beautiful. Well worth the visit

Visited on 6 Nov - Lovely serene temple, maple leaves/momiji is still green but some leaves have started to turned red. Most importantly the cat statues are super cute. Check out some of the special cat statues amongst the normal ones Not to be missed if you are a cat lover. Sadly all the cat figurines have sold out. 😿 9 Nov - I went back to the temple the second time after a Japanese friend called the temple shop for me to let me know the mini lucky cats were back in stock. I recommend asking your hotel to call the shop when they opened at 8am or the afternoon before to see if the lucky cat figurines are back in stock. Also got to meet the resident temple cat and he’s super friendly and cute.

Beautiful temple! I had heard a few people say that the cat figurine area of the temple was too small but I was pleasantly surprised. Other than the cats the rest of the buildings were very pretty. Definitely worth the visit and the nearby area also has great things to offer!

A small and nice little shrine a short trip out of the city. I got there rather early (before 10am) and it was not crowded. The shrine is great for photos and the surrounding is very pretty. But mostly you go and see the cat statues (unfortunately despite what was said on the internet, you can no longer leave your own bought car statue there in the shrine anymore). They do sell the cat statues in the temple shop but you are limited to one souvenir per person only.

OMG, this temple is so ethereal with all the Cherry blossoms in full bloom. Every where you turn, it looks like a painting. This temple is quite far from Tokyo, but it’s worth the visit. The lucky cat is what makes this place so special for all you cat lovers. The pagodas enveloped by cherry blossoms is a sight to be seen: Free admission and clean temple so come and take a few pictures.

When I visited the area was quiet and devoid of crowds which was peaceful. The main cat temple is currently closed due to construction but there were shelves of cats surrounding the construction area to look at. Gift shop was open and got a cute cat charm as well. Definitely will return once construction completes!

The most lovely temple I have ever visited! Just take around 30 min train from Shinjuku ( change train is needed) and get off at Gotokuji temple, you can meet those lovely fortune cats ( waving cats) 招財貓！ 😍😍😍 The temple area is spacious to walk around and but cat area is crowded. You can buy the fortune cat in the temple souvenirs counter.

Gotokuji is famous for its lucky cat figurines. Some visit the temple when they feel down or are running out of luck. But more than increasing one’s luck, a trip to Gotokuji is an immersion in the unique neighborhood (I didn’t include photos of interesting houses but you’ll see them on the way to the temple!) and the often downplayed structures within and around the temple (you can see these in the pictures). Be sure to check the temple’s hours (it closes early) and bring extra cash if you want to buy yourself a cat figurine (the bigger the cat the more expensive it is).

Surprisingly large buddhist temple complex with a semi famous Shinto shrine to lucky cats attached. Apparently this shrine is the origin story of the maneki neko (beckoning cat), from 1480. It's rare to see so many tourists deep into Setagaya, but you'll find them here! It's still a lovely collection of buildings. Of course they sell paper mache beckoning cats by the truck load. Not worth a special trip unless you're really into cats.

Beautiful temple. I came on a rainy day, so there were not too many people. There are many cherry blossoms in the grounds. They have limited merchandise, so they only allow you to buy 1 of each size cat. While it was far from where we stayed, I’m glad I made the trip out here.

We are not really temple fanatics but truly enjoyed visiting this place to see the beautiful architecture and of course all the lucky cats! If you are trying to narrow down your choice of a temple, I recommend this one because it was off the beaten path enough that it wasn’t crowded. Just a little challenging to walk to from the train station if you have a small child like us. We stopped at the “Fuji” sweet potato stand along our walk and it was the best sweet potato of my life! We got cute pics of the lucky cat statue and my son liked seeing all the little cats and buying one to take home.

Very beautiful temple to visit. Definitely a tourist must do. It’s nice just to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and spend some time in a more relaxed area. Not a far walk from the train station. At the time I went in Oct 2023, you could only purchase one lucky cat per person because of shortages. We arrived at about 9:30 am and it was raining so there weren’t many people around.

Gotokuji Temple, located in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo, is a Buddhist temple that is said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, or “luck-inviting cat figurine.” These small statues, which portray a cat sitting up and beckoning with its front paw, have become quite popular all over the world with cat-lovers. Part of a temple is under construction which usually showcases the cat figurines.

Not too far away by train, but a longer walk from the station. Go early, very early to avoid people because the whole place is small, very small, and the cat photo area is even smaller, like two people at a time small, and the place fills up rapidly. An alternative to the train, the bus ride back to Shibuya was easy and quick. The area held some interest. Fun getting a bit out of the city. The temple graveyard should be visited.

This temple is an absolute must see in Tokyo! Close to the city, yet the walk to the temple from Gotokuji station makes you feel as if you have been transported to another town. I recommend taking the Setagaya-line to Yamashita station (right next to Gotokuji) in hopes of riding the lucky cat train and experiencing an old railway system (they have the ticket machine in the train!) The temple has multiple buildings and a beautiful Pagoda at the entrance. The main hall is currently under construction so the area where there are lucky cats is limited, however still lots to see. The building to the far right is where you can purchase your lucky cat and omikuji. Cats come in multiple sizes, smallest being ¥300, largest ¥5000 and in between. You also receive a little pamphlet with each lucky cat explaining the story of Gotokuji temple. (Japanese and English available) Once you have purchased your lucky cat, you can place them with the others (don’t forget to make a wish first!) or take it home with you but be sure to bring them back one day. Overall, a very nice and super cute temple for all your cat needs 😊

This is one of the famous cat 😺 temples in Tokyo. If you have any wishes, you can buy the cat from the temple. Once the urge becomes true, you need to return the cat to the temple. It is traditional in this temple.

Such a serene place to serenity seek and walk while seeing different Buddhist structures and cute beckoning cat (fortune cats)! Entrance is free but it’s good if we offer prayers, donate and or buy lucky charms to support the temple. :-)

Beautiful temple that is well known for its thousands of cats and granting good luck. Bring a cat from another shop because the temple sells out of stock. You can make a wish and leave your cat in a certain area so that luck may reach you.

It's a beautiful and peaceful place. I like it very much. The cats are very cute. But here is quite far from the train station. May be difficult for people who do not travel by car.

This is really cool to see in person but it's now getting popular with the tourists. Photos and videos will make you believe that this place is huge but really it's only a small portion filled with cats. The popularity caused all the charms to be sold out. Cool for pictures but make sure you remain respectful

Beautiful temple with cat toys placed for good fortune. You can buy white cat sculpture from souvenir shop too!

They say you write your wish on the cute cat, and when it comes true you bring it back to the temple to join her other cats wishes friends. The lucky cat temple, brings joy and luck for everyone. it is a great temple for all cat lovers, I love all the small shapes and huge cats. the arrangement and the way all the cats sits with each others. It was really a great trip to visit the temple, specially in the new year.

Gotokuji temple is a lovely temple to visit during your time in Tokyo and to see the Maneki-neko (beckoning cat). The temple complex is very impressive - there are several shrine buildings, statues and a beautiful pagoda. There is also of course the collection of so many cute Maneki-neko models which people place at the temple. You can buy ones of differing sizes when you get to the temple if you'd like to place your own! The temple is about 5 mins walk from Gotokuji station and when we went in October, the temple closed at 5pm (not 6pm) as we showed up at 5pm on a weekday and we were told it was closed. Well worth seeing this beautiful and cute temple!

It seems like the main temple is under construction right now so I didn’t see as many Maneko Neko, but there were still a few shelves

Get off the Gotokuji subway station and walk slowly for 10-15 minutes. Along the way are local residences. Quiet and peaceful. Many people buy cat products sold in the temple. Generally small ones are often sold out, if you want luck.

It's on the medium/smaller side as far as the gounds are concerned, but very well kept. The lucky cat area is like two sides of one of the building so smaller than what you might expect. Don't be fooled though the lucky cat statues are often sold out they cannot keep up with demand

Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo is a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle. The serene atmosphere and cute cat statues make it a unique and charming spot to visit. It's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area and want to experience some Japanese culture and tranquility.

It closes by 16:45 sharp. We couldn’t spend much time but it seemed fun

This was a nice temple to visit with beautiful autumn colors. The cats were fun to see and we bought a few to take home and learned the history of the lucky cat and this temple from the info sheet they gave us at checkout.

I thought this temple filled by lucky cat figurines, turns out only small part of the temple next to graveyard. The ambience is very very quite. Sadly, some of lucky cat figurines are broken also I saw a small figurine got vandalise. I visited on october and not so many people visited there. You can enter straight away from gate (no fee ticket), turn left and you will see lucky cat figurines. Also, there is a tram with cat theme if you go there by train. But, when I was there the cat theme is not operated.

A must go place if you’re visiting Japan. It’ll give you a unique experience and to chance to see some of the outskirts of Tokyo. Not very accessible by train (you’ll have to walk a bit) but I enjoyed the walk. Can be very busy during the weekend, so if you can, avoid visit during the weekend.

Definitely worth a visit if you want to have some rest from the hectic Tokyo life, Gotokuji is around 40min away from Tokyo. The temple is free so no need to buy any tickets. Highlight of the temple are definitely the cat statues which you can also buy in the store at the temple, tho make sure you are there early as they sell out quick every day. After visiting the temple make sure to wander around the little streets of Gotokuji and eat some noodles in a small restaurant, it’s definitely worth it 😉.

Cute little place. Won't take more then 15 mins to see.

Gotokuji is a quiet out of the way temple. When exiting the station, you’ll see some signs that direct you to the temple. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there. People visit it because it’s the “lucky cat temple,” but the lucky cats can only be seen at a small part of the temple. You can buy your own lucky cat to take with you or to add to the collection at the shrine. The grounds are pretty nice and there were quite a number of birds there. Surprisingly, there’s a colony of rose ringed or ring necked parakeets there, so keep an eye out for brightly colored birds in thee were trees.

I grew up around here when I was younger. I played inside temple. And still very peaceful and beautiful.

around 10 mins walk from the station. It is a nice, quiet, peaceful place with full of joy when you see the 招財貓 (attract money cat), which also bring luck and fortune. You can buy the small cat figure. Still can see a few red leaves in Dec but not the most prosperous time.

One of my favorite finds in the local area of Setagaya. I visited yesterday and they're currently renovating the area, however, the cats are still displayed in the alley as attached in the photos. Suggest to do a walking tour along the Setagaya Tram Line

If you love cats, make the trip to visit this temple. Although I didn't see any cats roaming around, there are plenty of good luck cats that can be purchased, and if you pray or make a wish, you'd have to leave it at the temple for your wish to come true. The pagoda and temples were amazing to see, if you're into architecture. The variety of plants were very beautiful.

🐈 GREAT FOR CAT (and non-cat) LOVERS 🐈‍⬛ From the videos and photos I’d seen online, I wasn’t expecting too much. However, this temple is much bigger than anticipated. So many little sections to explore! However, of course, my favourite was the main attraction; the lucky cats. There is a store where you can buy your own, write your initials and add to the existing collection! It’s such a cute and enjoyable experience.

This was a fantastic experience. There’s much more here than just the area with tons of lucky cats! It was beautiful. I was extremely excited that there was a spot for you to buy your own lucky cat to take home! They had multiple sizes at multiple different prices. The one I got was ¥800 and I will cherish it forever. We even came here on a Saturday and it wasn’t very busy at all! I absolutely recommend visiting here!

This place is amazing. One of the prettiest shrines I've visited around Japan, the nature yells balance, and most of all, the cats! You may be wondering and yes - you can definitely buy a cat there and place it among the others with a wish of good luck for you or someone.

“Maneki-Neko” beckoning cat figurines Everywhere!!! This is where you’ll see many cats, each of which is an offering to the temple. When you’re done admiring that cats, you can decide if you’d like to place an offering yourself. Make a wish, buy a figurine, when it comes true, offer it back to the temple. From the outside, this temple looks no different from many others. It’s beautiful with greenery and has a cemetery too. You can also buy one of these “ema,” or boards where you can write a wish on the back. Great for: ✔︎ A strange and fun experience ✔︎ Photography ✔︎ Break from your stressful job Temple is a bit out of the way, but worth checking out if you’re done seeing most of the major things in Tokyo. You’ll probably find a few other tourists. Just 250m from Miyanosaka Station. Note: Sakura 🌸🌸had started to bloom

I’ve been here a few times, and it’s always amazing to see how many lucky cats there are on display. You can buy a variety of sizes of cats, so choose wisely. Personally, we went for the smallest!

It’s a lucky cat paradise. Gotokuji is a temple filled with thousands of lucky cat figures called Maneki-Neko. They say that if you buy a lucky cat statue and place it at the temple, you will have good luck. Goshuin fee: 300 yen Parking lot: available

Lovely temple with so many ‘cats’. Had a peace walk around this area.

Beautiful temple in Setagaya City, with a cemetery next door.

There are many cat models including different sizes in this temple. If you want to bring cat models home, you can also purchase it from temple’s office. It is really interesting😊

Likely one of my favourite temples in all of Japan, for various reasons. First off, quite easy to access with a decent map, and close to a tram station that connects to Shimo-Takaido on the Keio Sagamihara Line (a pretty major one that I take almost daily). Secondly, the entire area was very peaceful and calm, despite current weather. Even inside the complex, I only ever saw 3-5 other people at a time, at a distance. The paths were all quite spacious and even as well, easy to walk through. Thirdly, the individuals managing the information desk were really nice! And of course, probably the main reason why I went to this temple: the army of maneki-neko! There were an absolutely ridiculous number of them lined up along several areas. If you wanted to, you could even buy one (of various size) at the info desk to add for yourself! Or like me, take home as a souvenir. I would certainly consider Gotokuji an underrated spot, even if just for the novelty of seeing hundreds (or thousands, perhaps) waving-cats all neatly lined up and staring into your soul. Would love to go again!!