The Serene Realm of the Lucky Cat Tokyo Itinerary

Day 1: First Encounter with Gotokuji's Traditional Charm In the early morning, I took the Odakyu Line to Gotokuji in Setagaya, Tokyo, an ancient temple famous for its lucky cats. Upon entering, I was greeted by lush ancient trees and tranquil paths, exuding a strong traditional Japanese atmosphere. The highlight of the temple is the lucky cat area, where thousands of white cat statues of various sizes are neatly arranged on wooden shelves, offered by people praying for peace and prosperity. I quietly admired these cat statues, feeling the harmonious power they seemed to bring. In the afternoon, I enjoyed a bowl of matcha in the temple's small tea room, savoring the cultural essence of this serene place. Day 2: Discovering Hidden Stories On the second day, I returned to Gotokuji to explore the details I had previously overlooked. The temple's bell tower and the stone monuments scattered in the garden tell tales of its long history. Through a guided tour, I learned that Gotokuji is one of the origins of the lucky cat, stemming from an old story about a white cat that saved a passing feudal lord, leading to the temple's flourishing. As I wandered through the surrounding residential area, I discovered charming lucky cat sculptures hidden in some alleys, bringing a smile to my face. Before ending my trip, I bought a mini lucky cat from a small shop near the temple as a souvenir, hoping it would bring more beauty and blessings to my life.