About
Gotokuji Temple, nestled in a quiet residential area of Setagaya Ward, is a tranquil place where history and legend live on. As you step into the temple grounds, the bustle of the city seems to vanish as if it were a lie, and a pleasant silence spreads around you. Walking along the approach, lush trees gently block the sunlight, allowing you to feel the atmosphere of each season.
This temple is known as the family temple of the Ii clan, lords of the Hikone Domain, and is especially famous for being the burial site of Ii Naosuke, the chief minister at the end of the Edo period. The Ii family cemetery, where the graves of generations of clan lords and their wives stand side by side, has been designated a national historic site and conveys a sense of historical weight.
Gotokuji is also renowned as the birthplace of the maneki-neko, or beckoning cat. According to legend, Ii Naotaka was returning from falconry when he was guided by a beckoning cat at the temple gate, allowing him to avoid a thunderstorm. Grateful for this event, Naotaka made the temple the family temple of the Ii clan, and since then, the white maneki-neko with its right paw raised, called "Shofuku Neko" (beckoning cat of good fortune), has become a symbol of bringing good luck. In the Shofuku-den Hall within the grounds, maneki-neko of various sizes are dedicated, and the sight soothes the hearts of visitors.
The temple’s architecture is also one of its highlights. The imposing main hall and three-storied pagoda are arranged to create a historical atmosphere. In addition, the grounds are planted with a variety of trees and flowers, including plum, cherry, peony, Chinese peony, azalea, and the autumn foliage, allowing visitors to enjoy seasonal beauty throughout the year.
Access to Gotokuji is convenient: about a 15-minute walk from Gotokuji Station on the Odakyu Line, or about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosaka Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line. On the way from the station, you pass through a shopping street and walk through a residential area before the splendid temple gate comes into view. If you are visiting for the first time, it is recommended to approach from the main path.
Gotokuji is a place where history, legend, and natural beauty are in harmony, offering visitors tranquility and healing. When you wish to escape the city’s hustle and calm your mind, why not pay a visit?