The moment you step into Gotokuji Temple, you'll be completely overwhelmed by the spectacular and heartwarming wave of beckoning cats! This is said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, and as soon as you reach the Shofukuden Hall, the sight before you is guaranteed to make every cat lover and traveler exclaim, “Wow!” Layer upon layer of wooden shelves are packed with thousands upon thousands of pure white beckoning cats, all lined up neatly. They range from delicate miniatures smaller than a finger to hefty, round, extra-large cats. Every one of them wears a bright red collar with a small bell and raises its adorable right paw to beckon everyone over. There are so many that the shelves are completely packed, and the visual impact and cuteness are instantly off the charts!
If you look closely, you'll also notice that the beckoning cats here are quite different from the maneki-neko commonly seen elsewhere: they aren't holding gold coins! That's because Gotokuji's beckoning cats are meant to “invite good connections and good fortune.” As long as you remain grateful and form positive connections, good luck and blessings will naturally follow. This pure and heartwarming meaning makes them even more lovable the longer you look. Almost everyone who comes here takes one home to make a wish, then respectfully brings it back as an offering once the wish comes true. Before anyone knew it, they had accumulated into the unrivaled army of white cats you see today. Taking photos in front of these adorable little creatures is almost unfairly cute from every angle!
Besides the extremely popular shelves of beckoning cats, there is also a large cutout of a smiling, waving cat with curved eyes at the entrance. Its playful and amusing appearance lifts your mood the moment you see it, making it an absolute must for photos before going inside to worship! Passing through the wooden temple gate, the grounds reveal a completely different sense of peaceful charm. Lush old trees line both sides of the broad, tidy gravel paths. Even on a day with a gentle drizzle, the main hall's green eaves, washed by the rain, still give off an elegant, stately, and timeless beauty. Walking under an umbrella along the softly crunching gravel path, the surroundings are so quiet that all you can hear are raindrops and the breeze rustling through the treetops. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed and pleasant.
There's absolutely no need to rush while strolling here. You can first buy a beckoning cat amulet that catches your eye, put your hands together in prayer before the main hall, and then slow down as you walk through the garden beneath the towering old trees. Take a deep breath of air scented with earth, grass, and trees, and your whole body, mind, and spirit will feel completely cleansed and restored. Whether you want to take countless photos of the incredibly adorable sight of more than 10,000 beckoning cats lined up together, or escape the noise of the city and enjoy the peaceful Zen atmosphere unique to an old Japanese temple, Gotokuji is definitely a wonderful hidden gem filled with good fortune that will have you smiling without even realizing it!
Gotokuji Temple | Review by Jk
Other Reviews by Jk
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Tennoji Park
An urban park located just steps from Tennoji Station, one of Osaka’s major terminal stations. This historic park opened in 1909 on the former site of the 5th National Industrial Exhibition, which was held in 1903. Its vast 26-hectare grounds are home to a variety of attractions, including Tennoji Zoo.
Cross the street and walk straight into Tennoji Park, and the whole scene instantly switches from a bustling metropolis to a super chill, European-style lawn! The craziest thing here is the ridiculously huge lawn area called “TEN-SHIBA.” Right in central Osaka, packed with skyscrapers, there’s somehow this whole wide-open stretch of lush green grass hidden away. Look up, and you can see Japan’s super-tall Abeno Harukas skyscraper right next to it as a backdrop. The visual impact of modern architecture mixed with nature is seriously unbeatable! On weekends, lots of locals and college students bring picnic blankets, grab some coffee or takeout fried chicken, and just lie on the grass doing nothing, soaking up the sun and enjoying the breeze. It’s so relaxing that you won’t want to move at all!
And Tennoji Park definitely isn’t some old-fashioned park where all you can do is take a walk. The whole park is super stylish and fun to explore! Neatly lined up on both sides of the lawn are a bunch of thoughtfully designed artsy cafés, Italian restaurants, and open-air beer bars. During the day, you can sit outside and enjoy brunch with the view. At night, once the lights come on, the atmosphere is at its peak. Having a drink while looking out at Abeno’s sparkling night view is super romantic. Head farther into the park, and it connects seamlessly to the hugely popular Tennoji Zoo and Keitakuen Garden, which is full of the tranquility of a Japanese garden. You can even walk from here all the way to Tsutenkaku to eat kushikatsu. The location seriously couldn’t be better! -
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Kansai International Airport
Many domestic and international flights carry nearly 28 million people a year at this western Japan’s entrance, Kansai International Airport. It is on an island about 5km off the coast of Senshu in Osaka Bay, famous as the world’s first marine airport on a completely man-made island. The airport code KIX is used as the familiar nickname “KIX.”
Kansai International Airport is definitely much more than just a place to catch a flight. It’s the perfect place for one last massive shopping and eating spree before heading home! The renovated duty-free area after security feels just like a huge luxury department store, packed with everything from Japan-exclusive snacks and matcha desserts to high-end beauty products and trendy souvenirs. If you’re not careful, you’ll spend all your JPY and max out your credit card. Even if you arrive early and have to wait for your flight, you won’t get bored at all. The terminals are full of incredible authentic food, including Osaka’s legendary Kamukura ramen, freshly fried crispy pork cutlets, and piping-hot takoyaki. You can stuff yourself one last time before boarding and end your entire Kansai trip on an unbelievably satisfying high note!
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Hokkaido Shrine
Hokkaido Shrine, one of the most prominent shrines in Hokkaido, is located in Chuo District, Sapporo City. Its history is long, which began in 1869, when the Emperor Meiji directed to enshrine “Kaitaku Sanshin (Developing Three Deities)” here as a place of faith for pioneers.
The moment you step into Hokkaido Shrine, you’re instantly struck by its incredibly quiet and sacred atmosphere! It’s basically the top shrine in all of Hokkaido. The entire shrine is surrounded by towering old-growth trees, and the air is unbelievably clean and fresh. One deep breath wakes you right up. The crunch of the gravel under your feet instantly calms the restless feeling you get from constantly scrolling on your phone. And what’s really crazy is how rich the wildlife is. As you’re walking, a super nimble wild squirrel will often suddenly dart out on a nearby tree, poking its head around looking for nuts. They’re seriously so cute and soothing to see up close!
When you reach the main shrine, the dark wood paired with the green copper roof looks unbelievably cool, both solemn and full of that calm, commanding aura of ancient Japan. After praying, you definitely can’t just turn around and leave. You have to head straight to the Rokkatei teahouse next door! They have Hangankan mochi that’s exclusive to this shrine, freshly grilled right in front of you. It’s piping hot in your hands, with a lightly charred exterior and a hint of buckwheat aroma. When you bite into it, it’s incredibly soft and chewy, and the red bean filling is just the right amount of sweet. Enjoy it on a nearby bench with a hot cup of free roasted tea, and you’ll feel completely recharged in body, mind, and spirit! -
