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Tokyo Prefecture
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Setagaya
Setagaya Attractions
Gotokuji Temple

Gotokuji Temple, Setagaya

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Gotokuji Temple

See all things to do
See all things to do
Gotokuji Temple
4.5
435
#2 of 254 things to do in Setagaya
Religious Sites
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6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The area
Address
Best nearby
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Popular mentions
4.5
435 reviews
Excellent
177
Very good
194
Average
61
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Hiroaki Kaneko
Tokyo, Japan2,549 contributions
The temple is located in a quiet residential area, and is famous for its beckoning cat
Oct 2021
閑静な住宅街に囲まれた寺院です。招き猫と井伊家の菩提寺として有名ですが、年末年始などを除き休日でも訪れる人は多くなく、また周囲には幹線道路も無いことから車の騒音もほとんどなく、のんびりと境内を散策するには最適なスポットと言えます。1時間もあれば、墓所を含めた境内全体を周遊することは出来ますが、ところどころにベンチもあるため、座りながら静かにひと時を過ごす参拝客も見られます。
稲荷神社ではキツネの像が境内の至る所にありますが、この寺の招き猫は境内に散らばるようにあるわけではありません。特に多く並べられているのが仏殿などの建物が立ち並ぶスペースと墓所の境目あたりで、大小様々な招き猫が所狭しと並べられています。

The temple is surrounded by a quiet residential area. The temple is famous for its maneki neko (beckoning cat) and the Ii family's family temple, but not many people visit the temple even on holidays, except for the year-end and New Year holidays. It takes about an hour to walk around the entire temple grounds, including the cemetery, and there are benches everywhere for visitors to sit and enjoy a quiet moment.
In Inari Shrines, there are many statues of foxes all over the shrine precincts, but the beckoning cats in this temple are not scattered all over the grounds. They are especially abundant around the border between the Buddhist temples and the cemetery, where there are many beckoning cats of all sizes.
Written 23 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lorraine Y
Yokohama, Japan25 contributions
Love of Cats
Apr 2021
Enjoy the grounds and take some great pictures to take back home to show your friends. You won’t be lonely here because of all your furry friends.
Written 13 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Emily D
Osaka, Japan269 contributions
Hidden away little known destination
Oct 2020 • Solo
Located on the small Tokyu-Setagaya line, this little known location is quiet and peaceful. With hundreds of lucky cat statues the smallish area is located next to a much larger cemetery. With only a few locals wandering around, it’s a short trip out of Tokyo. To get the a goshuin (temple stamp) you need to go to the main temple office where they also sell lucky cats. Through the main gate (with the green roof) walk in a straight line to get to the main temple office. The lucky cats are off to the left hand size opposite the large pagoda. It’s something a little different if you’re in Tokyo for a little longer and looking to get out of the city a little.
Written 26 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Clive Baumann
Labrador, Australia1 contribution
Another tourist destination ruined!
Dec 2019 • Solo
I visited here many years ago and one could see only a few locals and it was serene and pleasant, now it joins the myriad of other locations spoilt by popularity and social media advertising and drawing the crowds. It was the raindrops from the trees that I once tried to avoid, now it's a dozen or so others like me, tourists come to take their snaps of what the Japanese never made such a fuss about.
Written 31 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Abbie H
Iwaki, Japan12 contributions
Temple of the Lucky Cat statue: Origins
Mar 2020 • Solo
Supposedly the lucky cat statue started at this temple. It’s a nice little trip to the quiet suburbs of Tokyo. There wasn’t a lot to the shrine/temple and most of the other parts of the temple were closed as it was a Sunday. But as it’s outside of the main touristy areas, I would guess that even on a weekday or Saturday it would not be very busy at all. There was only one other photographer there around 10am. The number of statues is impressive but since the temple stores were closed I couldn’t buy any statues to contribute. You can also buy ema or wooden plaques to make a wish (when the store is open).
If you’re a huge cat or lucky cat fan it might be worth the pilgrimage, but if you’re only in Tokyo a couple days then maybe skip it. It’s two trains and about a half an hour away from Shibuya in central Tokyo. I went there and back in about 1.5 hours.
Side note: If you’re a Ghibli fan the Shiro-Hige (Totoro) Cream Puff bakery is also in Setagaya-Ku so you could also go there on your way from/back to central Tokyo.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lauren Shannon
Setagaya, Japan28 contributions
Beautiful local temple and shrine!
Jan 2020 • Friends
This is a lovely local try and temple with lots of fun things to say. The pagoda and landscaping are gorgeous and of course all of those cats make for amazing photos
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ken K
Japan4 contributions
Cat Temple
Mar 2020
Very quiet temple located outside the hustle and bustle of the city. A perfect retreat for cat lovers and peace-seekers, who don't need the fanciness of huge, extravagant temples to calm their inner selves.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
GreatWalk Japan Travel Services
Tokyo, Japan95 contributions
A hidden gem in Tokyo
Feb 2020 • Couples
If you’re visiting Tokyo you have to venture out to Western Tokyo and see the home of the “waving cat.” This temple is really special and well worth the trek!

Take the Odakyu line from Shinjuku Station to Gotokuji Station. Once at Gotokuji follow the signs to the temple (south). It’s about a 10 minute walk from the station.

The temple is free of charge and has a small gift shop.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Elissa
Los Angeles, CA511 contributions
One of my Favorite Temples
Jan 2020
I've been to Japan 5 times, and this is one of my favorite temples... It is the birth place of the maneki-neko, the good luck cat... hence all the cats at the temple. It is pretty remote, but near a train station. However, it's nearly impossible to get a taxi from the area or station-- I had to walk to Lawson and have them call a taxi for me. Definitely worth a visit though!
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Veronica
Frankfurt, Germany641 contributions
Bring me some luck, kittens !!!
Jan 2020 • Couples
Thousands super adorable cats in Gotokuji temple, how can you not love them???
You should definitely bring a lucky cat home with you.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Gotokuji Temple
Gotokuji Temple is open:
  • Sun - Sat 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Gotokuji Temple tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Gotokuji Temple tours on Tripadvisor