Gotokuji is a Buddhist temple located in Tokyo’s Setagaya district. It has become famous due to the legend citing it as the birthplace of the maneki-neko, meaning beckoning cat, good luck charm.
Legend says that during the Edo period, the final era of traditional Japanese government, a cat under the care of a priest at Gotokuji Temple led a feudal lord to safety during a thunderstorm. The cat beckoned the lord and his servants inside with a waving gesture, hence the reason all maneki-neko cat statues have one paw raised.
The lord sat down for tea with the priest while the thunderstorm raged outside. To express his thanks afterwards, he donated rice and land and selected Gotokuji Temple as the cemetery for his family. Today, visitors can see hundreds of lucky cat figures on display around a statue of the goddess of mercy, Kannon. The main building and grounds are dotted with cats, while cat-related art lines the streets surrounding the temple.
Contact the 24 Limousine sales team & they can arrange an english speaking chauffeur to escort you to Gotokuji Temple in one of many prestige vehicles.
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