Cat Shrines in Japan: A Must-Visit for Cat Lovers This Lunar New Year
If you're a devoted cat lover planning to travel to Japan during the Lunar New Year, be sure to include a few cat shrines in your itinerary!
Since ancient times, the Japanese have believed that all things possess a spirit. Cats, having shared a close bond with humans for centuries, gradually came to be seen as protectors of the home and symbols of good fortune. In many parts of Japan, they are even worshipped as guardian deities.
Visiting these sacred spots not only offers a glimpse into Japan's unique spiritual culture but also allows cat enthusiasts to experience the charm and reverence surrounding their favorite animals in a truly meaningful way.
The following lists eight popular cat shrines. Whether you wish to pray for wealth, love, or blessings of safety and good health for your beloved pets, you can receive divine favor here.
A Journey to the Birthplace of the Lucky Cat
When people talk about cat-themed shrines in Japan, the first image that often comes to mind is the cheerful Maneki-neko, the beckoning "Lucky Cat" said to bring good fortune. With its raised paw and welcoming smile, it has become one of Japan's most loved cultural icons.
Interestingly, the true origin of the Lucky Cat remains a subject of friendly debate. Several regions—such as Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo and Imado Shrine in Asakusa—each claim to be the birthplace of this charming figure. Each site tells a slightly different story, yet all share a deep sense of reverence for the feline that inspires prosperity and happiness.
For travelers and cat enthusiasts alike, visiting these temples is more than a sightseeing trip—it's a spiritual journey that celebrates luck, gratitude, and the special bond between humans and cats. Whether you seek a blessing for success or simply wish to admire the artistry of the Maneki-neko, these sacred places are truly worth the journey.
Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya, Tokyo: The Origin of the Beckoning Cat
When it comes to the beckoning cat, or maneki‑neko, most Japanese people immediately think of Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo's Setagaya district. This temple is home to thousands of white cat figurines with raised paws, creating a sight so charming that visitors can't resist taking a few extra photos.
According to legend, during the Edo period, Ii Naotaka, the second feudal lord of the Hikone Domain, was out hunting when he noticed a cat gesturing to him as if inviting him into the temple. Out of curiosity, he followed the cat inside—and narrowly avoided a sudden thunderstorm that broke out moments later. Deeply grateful, Lord Ii designated Gotokuji as his family temple.
To honor this fortunate encounter, the temple's monks created a statue of the cat and enshrined it as the maneki‑neko, the "beckoning cat" said to bring good luck and prosperity. Since then, visitors have come to Gotokuji to buy small cat figurines to pray for their wishes. Once their prayers are fulfilled, they return the cats to the temple as offerings, adding to the ever‑growing sea of smiling figures.
Imado Shrine in Taito, Tokyo: The Birthplace of the Lucky Cat and a Shrine for Love
Imado Shrine, located in Tokyo's Taito Ward, is believed to be the birthplace of the famed "maneki-neko," or lucky cat, and is also celebrated as one of the city's most popular matchmaking shrines.
According to legend, a poor elderly woman was once forced to part with her beloved cat. One night, the cat appeared in her dream and said, "If you make a doll in my image, happiness will follow." Following the dream's advice, the woman crafted clay cat figures using Imado ware and sold them at a market. To her surprise, they became immensely popular — and thus the lucky cat was born.
Within the shrine grounds, visitors can find a pair of charming "Stone Lucky Cats." It is said that by gently touching them, keeping their photo as your mobile wallpaper, and praying daily, your love life will flourish and your marriage will be blessed.
Jiseiin Temple: Tokyo's "Cat Temple"
Nestled in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Jiseiin Temple is affectionately known as the "Cat Temple." Its unusual nickname comes from a story that dates back to Japan's Warring States period. According to legend, the samurai Ōta Dōkan, once lost in the area, encountered a black cat that guided him to safety. Thanks to this mysterious feline, he escaped danger and managed to turn the tide of battle.
Today, the temple honors that tale by enshrining two statues of Cat Jizō in its main hall. Though the hall remains closed to the public most of the year, visitors can catch a rare glimpse of the sacred statues during the annual Setsubun Festival on February 3rd. For pilgrims and cat lovers alike, timing a visit to coincide with this special day is the key to a true spiritual encounter.
Unique Shrine Where You Can See Cat Mascots
The Sleeping Cat in Nikkō Tōshō-gū, Tochigi Prefecture: A Symbol of Peace
The World Heritage Site Nikkō Tōshō-gū in Tochigi Prefecture is famous for one feline feature in particular—the wooden carving known as the Sleeping Cat (Nemuri Neko).
This delicate sculpture is positioned above the Sakashita Gate at the base of the temple's east corridor. The cat's serene, slumbering posture has long been regarded as a symbol of peace, making it a fitting motif during the New Year season, when visitors come to the shrine to pray for harmony and good fortune.
Ōmatsu Daigongen Shrine, Tokushima
Deep in Tokushima Prefecture stands the Ōmatsu Daigongen Shrine, home to a breathtakingly large lucky cat statue reaching nearly two meters tall. Visitors are immediately greeted by this towering feline, which radiates charm and good fortune in every direction.
The shrine's origins are steeped in an old legend — one of Japan's Three Great Ghost Cat Tales. According to local folklore, a loyal cat avenged the wrongful death of its master, earning reverence as a divine protector. Over time, this once-spooky story evolved into a symbol of triumph and resilience.
Today, Ōmatsu Daigongen Shrine is affectionately known as the "Victory Shrine." Whether you're preparing for an exam, running for office, or facing a legal battle, people from across Japan come here to borrow a lucky cat charm to take home. Once their wish is fulfilled, they return the figurine to the shrine as a gesture of gratitude.
Surrounded by natural beauty and a sense of mystery, this shrine offers not just blessings but also the comforting belief that loyalty and faith can turn even the strangest myths into lasting luck.
Unrinji Temple, Yamaguchi: The Cat Who Never Left Its Master
In Yamaguchi Prefecture stands Unrinji Temple, a serene spot known not only for its tranquil atmosphere, but also for a moving legend of loyalty between a samurai and his beloved cat.
According to local tales, a retainer named Nagai Motofusa took his own life to follow his lord in death. His cherished cat, grief-stricken, stayed by his grave without eating or drinking for forty-nine days. In the end, the loyal animal also passed away, seemingly by its own will, to rejoin its master in the afterlife.
For a long time afterward, villagers reported hearing sorrowful meows echoing through the night near the temple. It wasn't until the monks of Unrinji performed a memorial service for the cat's spirit that the haunting cries finally ceased, bringing peace to the devoted creature's soul.
Today, Unrinji Temple has become a beloved destination for cat lovers. The grounds are filled with cat statues, charms, fortune slips, and even blank cat-shaped ema (wooden plaques) that visitors can color and decorate themselves. It's like a miniature haven dedicated to feline devotion—a perfect place for any cat enthusiast to wander and reflect.
The Shrine That Helps Find Lost Cats
If you want to find your lost cat, these two shrines are very famous.
Silkworm Shrine: Guardian Cats of Tachikawa
Nestled within the Azusamiten Shrine in Tachikawa, Tokyo, the Silkworm Shrine (Konoshima Jinja) is a tiny yet fascinating place of worship dedicated to a cat deity said to protect silkworms. Affectionately known as the "Cat Return Shrine", it has become a beloved spot for cat lovers across Japan.
Visitors can offer a special calico cat ema (a wooden votive plaque) during their prayers and gently touch the "Tadaima Cat" stone statue — a gesture believed to help lost pets find their way safely home. The shrine gained national attention after the celebrated jazz pianist Yosuke Yamashita reportedly prayed here and successfully recovered his missing cat, a story that was widely covered by the Japanese media.
Beyond its feline charm, the main hall of the Azusamiten Shrine is recognized as a Tangible Cultural Property. The beautifully carved dragons and lions that adorn the structure make it a site worth visiting, whether you come seeking blessings or simply to admire its traditional artistry.
Sanko Inari Shrine, Chuo City, Tokyo
Located in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo's Chuo Ward, Sanko Inari Shrine is a small but beloved Inari shrine with a rich history of miraculous tales. Among its local legends, the shrine is widely known for helping people reunite with their lost cats.
At the entrance, a stone monument stands as a heartfelt token of gratitude from a couple whose beloved cat had gone missing for three months. After praying at the shrine, their cat miraculously returned home, and the couple offered the monument in thanks for the shrine's divine assistance.
The entrance stone monument donated in gratitude by a couple whose cat returned home.
Exploring Japan's Cat Shrines and Temples
All across Japan, there are countless shrines and temples dedicated to cats — each one blessed with stories that are both heartwarming and rich in cultural meaning. These sacred places blend spirituality with the charm of feline companionship.
Planning a New Year trip focused on visiting these cat-themed sanctuaries offers more than just sightseeing. It's a journey of blessings and good fortune, as well as a chance to feel the enduring bond between humans and animals that has lasted for hundreds of years.
