幸龍寺

Gotokuji is a Buddhist temple in Setagaya-ku with a distinctive collection of maneki-neko statues surrounding a Kannon statue, the goddess of mercy. The grounds display traditional Japanese Buddhist architecture with organized pathways, shrines, and classical buildings spanning different periods.

The site was founded in 1480 as Kotoku-in and renamed Edo Bodaiji in 1633 when the region came under Hikone Domain control. It became the burial grounds for feudal lords of the Ii clan, including Ii Naosuke, who held a prominent administrative position in the Tokugawa shogunate.

The temple is known as the birthplace of the maneki-neko tradition, where beckoning cat figurines represent good fortune and prosperity. Visitors notice these cat statues placed throughout the grounds as devotional objects and protective symbols.

The temple is about a five-minute walk from Gotokuji station on the Odakyu line and opens daily from 6 AM to 6 PM. Entry is free, and the grounds are easily walkable with plenty of space to explore at a comfortable pace.

According to local legend, a cat belonging to a temple priest guided a feudal lord to safety during a thunderstorm, sparking the maneki-neko tradition. This story transformed the temple into a place where visitors today leave thousands of cat figurines as votive offerings.