Gotokuji: The Maneki Neko Cat Temple in Tokyo
Miniature replicas of the statue distributed in the Gotokuji Temple as a souvenir has become a lucky charm all around the world.
Located in a quiet area in Setagaya, visitors to Gotokuji come to buy Maneki Neko today, or order or pray for good luck and leave at the Temple. It is also possible to take the statuette home and keep it until the wish or prayer is fulfilled and then return to place the figurine in the Temple as an act of Thankfulness.
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The Temple Sanctuary
Suppose you want to see the largest number of kittens. In that case, the best time to visit the Gotokuji Temple is from January to February. In January is the period where b all the offering to the Buddha starts.
But if you want to take the opportunity to see Koyo, which is to enjoy the colorful foliage, the best time is autumn. There are other types of amulets and good luck charms that can be purchased at the Temple.
Among them are the wooden signs with Maneki Neko’s design, in which the visitor writes an order and leaves it in a specific place, and the Omikuji. This paper may contain good or bad luck.
Temple attendants are always kind to help non-Japanese people understand the message. If the message is good, the person takes it home. Otherwise, there is a place to leave the “bad luck” burned in a ritual to be purified and transformed.
At the Gotokuji temple, we also find the Naotaka family cemetery. In the Buddhist view, the cemetery is not a place of suffering but of peace and transcendence.
The walk can extend to the beautiful garden where there are benches to enjoy nature and the traditional Japanese garden’s shapes. Located outside Tokyo’s busy center, Gotokuji is a good walk for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living.
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