# Gotokuji Temple: the home of the beckoning cat

[Gotokuji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA2-24-7) is a Zen temple in a quiet corner of Setagaya and the temple most closely tied to the maneki-neko, the beckoning cat. Rows of small white cat figures stand beside its cat hall, many left by people whose wishes came true. The list below is updated daily with anything held at or near the temple; on most days Gotokuji is simply open and calm.

## The temple and the cat

Gotokuji began in 1480 as Kotokuin, a small temple built by the Kira family, lords of Setagaya Castle. In 1633 Setagaya became part of the Hikone domain, and its lords, the Ii family, made the temple their family temple in Edo. It took the name Gotokuji in 1659, after the Buddhist name of the second lord, Ii Naotaka. It belongs to the Soto school of Zen.

The temple tells the cat story like this. Naotaka was on his way back from falconry when a cat at the temple gate beckoned to him, so he stopped in. Soon a sudden thunderstorm broke, and he sat out the rain talking with the priest. Grateful for his luck, he supported the rebuilding of the temple. Gotokuji enshrines that cat as a bringer of good fortune and writes its name with characters meaning "the cat that invites happiness", read maneki-neko. Other places in Tokyo, such as Imado Shrine in Asakusa, also claim the beckoning cat, and the details of the story vary between tellings.

- → [Traditional culture experiences in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/culture-experiences.md)
- → [Events in Setagaya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/setagaya.md)
- → [Cultural & Ethnic Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/culture.md)

## What to see

You walk in along a pine-lined approach to the Sanmon gate. Inside, the Buddha hall dates from 1677, and the temple bell, cast in 1679, is the oldest in Setagaya; both are ward cultural properties. The [three-storey pagoda](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA%20%E4%B8%89%E9%87%8D%E5%A1%94%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA2-24-7) is new, completed in 2006 and 22.5 metres tall. Look at the carvings under its eaves: among the zodiac animals there is a beckoning cat.

The [Shofukuden](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%8B%9B%E7%A6%8F%E6%AE%BF%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA2-24-7), the cat hall, was built in 1941 and renovated in 2022. Beside it is the offering area, where cat figures of every size stand in rows, all with the right paw raised. Unlike the shop version, the temple's cats hold no gold coin: the temple says the cat brings you a connection, and what you make of it is up to you.

Behind the main buildings is the [Ii family cemetery](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%BD%A6%E6%A0%B9%E8%97%A9%E4%B8%BB%E4%BA%95%E4%BC%8A%E5%AE%B6%E5%A2%93%E6%89%80%20%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA2-24-7), a national historic site since 2008, where Ii Naosuke and other lords of Hikone are buried. It is a working cemetery, so keep your voice down.

- Cat figures are sold at the temple office, which closes around 3pm, earlier than the grounds.
- There is no fixed rule for what to do with your cat. Many people take one home and bring it back to the shelves once their wish comes true.
- Do not write on the cats. The temple has asked this specifically, since the figures are sacred.

## The year at Gotokuji

Gotokuji does not have a big festival calendar of its own; the year here is about plants. The temple lists plum, cherry, peony and azalea among its spring flowers, with autumn leaves late in the year, and in Tokyo the leaves usually turn from late November into early December. Spring and late autumn are the best times for photos of the pagoda. The temple also holds sutra copying sessions (shakyo) on set afternoons; check the [official site](https://gotokuji.jp/) for dates.

The neighbourhood has two bigger occasions. [Setagaya Hachimangu](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E5%AE%AE%E5%9D%821-26-3), by Miyanosaka Station, holds its autumn festival in September with offering sumo by student wrestlers on the shrine's own ring, a custom that goes back to the Edo period. On December 15 and 16 and again on January 15 and 16, the [Setagaya Boro-ichi](https://www.city.setagaya.lg.jp/02072/10108.html), a street market that began in 1578, fills [Boro-ichi Street](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AD%E5%B8%82%E9%80%9A%E3%82%8A%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B71%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) around the old [Daikan Yashiki](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E4%BB%A3%E5%AE%98%E5%B1%8B%E6%95%B7%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B71-29-18) a few stops away, with several hundred stalls of antiques, plants, tools and food.

- The Boro-ichi is very crowded around midday. Arrive soon after it opens in the morning.

- → [Flower festivals in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flowers.md)
- → [Cherry blossom season in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/sakura.md)
- → [Autumn leaves in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/autumn-leaves.md)
- → [Sumo in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/sumo.md)
- → [Flea, antique and craft markets in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flea-markets.md)
- → [Flea & Antique Markets events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/markets.md)
- → [Events in Setagaya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/setagaya.md)

## Timing, crowds and manners

The grounds are open from 6am to 5pm and there is no entry fee. Gotokuji has become well known abroad, and late mornings and weekends can be busy around the cat shelves. Early morning on a weekday is the calmest time, and you may have the pagoda to yourself.

This is a working temple with a cemetery, set in a residential neighbourhood. Speak quietly, stay on the paths, and do not climb on or rearrange the offering shelves. The temple has said that it runs no official guided tours with any travel company, and that commercial guiding, photo shoots and events on the grounds need its permission in advance. For your own snapshots, just be quick and keep the paths clear.

- Bring cash for cat figures and charms.
- If you plan to hop on and off the Setagaya Line, a one-day ticket ([Setagaya-sen Sanpo Kippu](https://www.tokyu.co.jp/global/railway/ticket/value_ticket/setagaya_ticket/)) pays off after a few rides.

- → [Shrine and temple etiquette for festivals and New Year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shrine-etiquette.md)
- → [Taking photos at Tokyo events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/photography.md)
- → [Going to events alone in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/solo.md)
- → [Free events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/free.md)

## Getting there and the Setagaya Line

The nearest station is [Miyanosaka](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E6%80%A5%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E7%B7%9A%20%E5%AE%AE%E3%81%AE%E5%9D%82%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E5%AE%AE%E5%9D%821-24-7) on the Tokyu Setagaya Line, about five minutes on foot. From [Gotokuji Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E6%80%A5%20%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA1-43-4) on the Odakyu Line it is about fifteen minutes through quiet streets, and [Yamashita Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E6%80%A5%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E7%B7%9A%20%E5%B1%B1%E4%B8%8B%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E8%B1%AA%E5%BE%B3%E5%AF%BA1-44-5) on the Setagaya Line stands right by Odakyu Gotokuji Station if you want to change.

The Setagaya Line is a small two-car line that runs about 5 km between Sangenjaya and Shimotakaido, with a flat fare and short gaps between stations. It opened in 1925 as part of the old Tamaden tramway, and in some years it has run trains decorated with beckoning cats. It makes an easy half day: Setagaya Hachimangu right by Miyanosaka, the Boro-ichi street at Kamimachi and Setagaya stations, and Sangenjaya at one end, with the [Setagaya Public Theatre](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E3%83%91%E3%83%96%E3%83%AA%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%82%A2%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%AA%E5%AD%90%E5%A0%824-1-1) and plenty of small bars. From Shibuya, take the Den-en-toshi Line to Sangenjaya and change; Shimokitazawa is a few stops away on the Odakyu Line.

- → [Shimokitazawa: live houses, small theatres and vintage](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shimokitazawa.md)
- → [Tokyo neighbourhoods for events: where to go for what](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/neighbourhoods.md)
- → [Festival day trips from Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/day-trips.md)
- → [Events in Setagaya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/setagaya.md)
- → [Events in Shibuya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/shibuya.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Tomoko Yamashita 20th Anniversary Exhibition](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tomoko-yamashita-20th-anniversary-exhibition)** — Sat, Oct 10, 2026 – Tue, Nov 24, 2026 (JST) · Former Ozaki Teodora Residence 2F Gallery (Setagaya) · price on the official site

## Questions people ask

**Is Gotokuji free to visit?**
Yes, there is no entry fee. Cat figures and charms are sold at the temple office if you want one.

**What is the maneki-neko story at Gotokuji?**
A cat at the temple gate beckoned Ii Naotaka, lord of Hikone, inside just before a thunderstorm broke. Thankful for the shelter, he supported the temple, and it became his family's temple in Edo.

**What should I do with the cat figure I buy?**
There is no fixed rule. You can keep it at home, or leave it on the offering shelves; many people bring it back after their wish comes true. Do not write on it.

**What time does Gotokuji open?**
The grounds are open from 6am to 5pm. The office that sells cat figures keeps shorter hours and closes in the mid-afternoon.

**How long do you need at Gotokuji?**
About 30 to 45 minutes. Add a couple of hours to ride the Setagaya Line and stop at Setagaya Hachimangu or Sangenjaya.

**When is the best time to visit Gotokuji?**
A weekday morning, when it is quiet. Spring flowers and late autumn leaves make the grounds especially pretty.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/gotokuji