Such a wonderful place!! I feel so lucky that life has afforded me these moments. Thank you.

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An amazing place to visit and a must for people who love cats. The shrine off to the left side is perhaps the most photographed part of the entire temple, where people can buy a small plastic cat and leave it here with wishes for good health for their cats at home.

A truly beautiful place, I was moved to tears. I left a paper note there, among the other photos and dedications to cats, hoping that all cats who touch my life know they are loved, all cats who have been in my life are at peace, all future cats I will know someday are welcomed. That everyone with love in their heart will see how two species can coexist with each other in such a way... Seriously, it just made me very emotional The only complaint I have is towards other tourists - please don't knock over the statues, please be aware of how much space you're taking, and please respect the area instead of using it as just a photoshoot space. I didn't mind most of the people there, especially for how crowded it was, but sometimes somebody would take up the entire aisle to take selfies and make everyone else wait for them to finish. Remember that these are temples and holy places, not just a place to be a background of a silly picture Otherwise, this was well worth it, and I felt immensely connected to something very special in my life. Please come and be moved to tears, like I was, if cats are a huge part of your life. Thank you to the staff there for keeping it so neat and clean. It was breathtaking in the middle of February

⚠️Recently, some Shofuku Maneki-neko have been seen with graffiti on them. Even if you offered it yourself, drawing graffiti on an object of worship is out of the question. The maneki-neko said to have originated at Gotokuji is written here as Shofuku Maneki-neko. The custom is to offer one here once your wish has come true. (Available at the temple office. They're very popular, so beware of them selling out.) The sight of the offered Shofuku Maneki-neko lined up in rows is overwhelming. Very popular with tourists from overseas. In the center sits Nyoirin Kannon. Since she's the one who saves us from the six realms, maybe so she'll save the cats too???

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About 10000 maneki-neko have been offered at this offering site. The practice of offering maneki-neko at Gotokuji is said to originate from Lord Ii Naotaka, the third lord of the Hikone Domain and a senior elder of the Edo shogunate, who was beckoned by a cat and thereby able to avoid a thunderstorm, after which that cat was enshrined. The cats are called Shofuku Maneki-neko and are said to bring business prosperity and good fortune, attracting the faith of many people. It has become an especially popular spot with visitors from overseas.

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