If you're visiting Tokyo and love quiet, beautiful places, then Gotokuji Temple is a great stop for you. It's not just any temple; it’s known as the “Lucky Cat Temple” because there are the cute white cat statues with one paw raised. These cats are called maneki-neko. They’re believed to bring good luck.

This temple is a calm and peaceful place where you can run away from the busy streets of Tokyo. Whether you're a cat lover looking for a unique experience, Gotokuji is a must-visit. Let’s explore everything you need to know before you go!

Gotokuji Temple is located in Setagaya, a quiet residential area in western Tokyo. It's easy to reach by train. Here’s the guide:

No matter which route you choose, you still need to walk, and the walk is relaxing. You’ll pass through peaceful streets with small shops and cosy cafes. It’s a great way to see the local neighbourhood life in Tokyo.

Gotokuji Temple is located at 2 Chome-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0021, Japan. This area is not crowded like the city centre. It's calm and filled with trees, parks, and small houses. The area has a local charm, and it’s nice to just take a walk around. This is because it’s not in the middle of the city; not many tourists go here, which makes it even more special!

While visiting Gotokuji Temple is the main reason people come here, there’s a lot more to enjoy in the area. The neighborhood around the temple is full of charm, and it’s a great place to spend a slow, relaxing half-day. Here are some fun things you can do nearby:

This is the biggest highlight of Gotokuji Temple. You’ll find hundreds of small white cat statues, all with one paw raised. These cats are called maneki-neko, which means “beckoning cat” or “inviting cat” in Japanese. People believe these cats bring good luck, money, and happiness.

Visitors often buy one of these cat statues and place it on the shelves near the temple after their wish comes true. Some people come back year after year to leave a new lucky cat to say thank you. Over time, this has created a magical scene — rows and rows of lucky cats all smiling at you!

Additionally, this place is the perfect spot for cute and meaningful photos. If you love cats or Japanese culture, you’ll enjoy this part the most. Don’t forget to visit the small temple shop to buy your own maneki-neko to take home or leave behind with your wish.

Gotokuji Temple is a lovely place to explore. The temple grounds are wide and peaceful, full of tall trees, soft light, and the sounds of birds. There’s a quiet path that leads you past traditional Japanese buildings, including the main hall, small shrines, and even a cemetery where some famous people are buried.

You can see wooden ema boards (small plaques where people write their wishes), stone lanterns, and many historical statues. In the spring, you’ll find cherry blossoms blooming all around. In autumn, the trees turn gold and red. No matter the season, the temple is always beautiful.

Around the temple, you can find small cafes with coffee, matcha, or desserts. There are also little shops selling handmade crafts, souvenirs, and snacks. One popular souvenir is a hand-painted maneki-neko or a small item with a cat charm. These are great to take home as gifts or for your own collection. Buying from these shops also helps support small local businesses, which makes your visit even more special.

If you have more time, explore the Setagaya neighbourhood. There's a local park nearby, and the Setagaya Line itself is a cute little tram ride through a very local part of Tokyo. It’s perfect if you like to see the “real” side of the city, away from tourists.

Gotokuji Temple is free to enter! You don’t need to pay to walk around the temple or see the lucky cats. However, if you want to make an offering, buy a souvenir, or write a wish on a wooden plaque (called ema), you can do that for a small fee. Maneki-neko statues to take home start at around 500 yen (SGD 5) and go up depending on the size. It’s a nice way to bring a little good luck with you.

Gotokuji Temple has a long and interesting history. It was built in 1480, over 500 years ago! At first, it was a small temple for local people. But it became famous later because of a special story.

There is a popular legend about a cat and a samurai. Long ago, a poor monk lived at Gotokuji. He had a cat and took good care of it, even though he had very little money. Until one day, a powerful samurai lord was passing by the temple. It started to rain, and he saw the cat raising its paw, as if it was waving him in. Due to curiosity, the samurai went into the temple. After that, lightning struck the tree where he had been standing, and unexpectedly, the cat had saved his life.

The samurai was so thankful that he became a big supporter of the temple. He donated money and land to help it grow. Because of this story, the cat became a symbol of good luck, and people started visiting the temple to pray and leave lucky cat statues. And now you see, Gotokuji became known as the birthplace of the maneki-neko.

Gotokuji Temple is one of those special places in Tokyo that you will remember for a long time. This cute and peaceful temple is full of meaning. Whether you go for the maneki-neko, the calm ambiance, or just to see a different side of Tokyo, taking this trip is worth it. And maybe you’ll bring some good luck home with you!

Final words, don't forget to explore Traveloka for great deals on activities, flights, and hotels. Traveloka offers a user-friendly platform where you can easily compare options, select the best choices based on your preferences and budget, and secure your bookings with just a few clicks.