Gotokuji: Tokyo's Hidden Gem for Cat Lovers
- Marion P.
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Japan is a country widely known for it's love of cats. Hello Kitty, Doraemon, cat cafés, cat islands, cats are everywhere!
The quiet neighborhood of Gotokuji, just 15 minutes from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo's peaceful Setagaya ward, is a hidden-gem for cat lovers in Tokyo, you can find cat souvenirs, cat-shaped food, and even visit a cat-themed temple. I'll introduce three spots that make this neighborhood special:
Gotokuji Temple: Tokyo's Hidden Temple for Cat Lovers
Gotokuji Temple is the main draw that brings visitors to this charming neighborhood and explains why you'll find so many cat-themed treats and souvenirs. This sacred site is the birthplace of Japan's manekineko (lucky cat figurines).
Legend has it that in the 17th century, a feudal lord returning from falconry was guided to shelter by a white cat. When a fierce thunderstorm struck moments later, the lord credited the cat with saving his life. This white cat became the original inspiration for manekineko.
Today, visitors can purchase manekineko figurines of various sizes (limit to one per person) either as lucky souvenirs or to leave at the temple while making a wish. You can also purchase wooden ema plaques featuring adorable white cat designs to write your future wishes and goals.
Don't miss the incredible sight of shelves lined with hundreds of donated manekineko figures - it's truly unforgettable.
Rarasand: Traditional Japanese cakes, but Cat-Shaped!
After exploring the temple, head down Gotokuji's shotengai shopping street which connects the temple to the train station. All sorts of cat souvenirs can be found here including cat-shaped sweets!
Rarasand is your must-visit destination, easily spotted by its giant manekineko-shaped cake sign propped out front.
Pro tip: grab a commemorative stamp from their souvenir stamp station right outside the shop.
Inside, they sell three types of cat-shaped cakes: baby castella, a cat shaped taiyaki, and monaka.
The Baby Castella, a popular dessert at Japanese matsuri festivals, were out of stock so I bought one taiyaki and a bag of two monaka.
Soft Japanese Cat Cakes with Sweet and Savory Fillings
These adorable treats come with multiple filling options. I chose the safe bet: creamy milk custard. The presentation is so cute, you'll hesitate to take that first bite!
The cake arrives warm and pillowy-soft, with custard that's perfectly balanced - creamy without being overly sweet. Next time I'll try their the other flavors like caramel and raspberry, or maybe even one of the savory options like potato salad!
Rarasand also has more traditional flavors like anko (sweet red bean paste) and matcha as well.
Monaka, a Traditional Japanese Gift
These traditional wagashi Japanese sweets consist of crispy wafers and sweet anko filling. To maintain freshness, they're packaged separately and assembled just before eating. Traditionally flower-shaped, monaka are popular gifts in Japan. I received my first box from a local friend years ago when I first visited Japan.
Rarasand's version features adorable lucky cat-shaped wafers. My two-piece set included standard-colored wafers with plain and sakura (cherry blossom) blossom flavored anko.
How to Assemble Monaka at Home
Assembling the monaka is very easy: open the anko bag at a corner to use like a piping bag to fill both sides of the wafer, before pressing them together. Now you have a super cute manekineko snack!
I loved the crispy texture of the wafers and the sweet, floral flavor of the anko.
Monaka make a great souvenir if you are visiting Japan. If you want to bring them to your home country, they can be kept at room temperature for a few weeks (the salesperson will show you the expiration date before you buy).
Working Café Halo: Cute Vanilla and Chocolate Cat Cookies
If I didn't have the shopping street's brochure to guide me, I wouldn't have known that Working Café Halo had adorable cat cookies! You won't find them on the menu posted outside but don't worry, you can buy them directly at the counter.
They are only sold in a small bag of two, one plain and one chocolate. The texture is perfectly crispy, just how I prefer. If you dine in with a latte, they'll create adorable hand-drawn cat latte art! However, I had already planned my coffee destination...
Amazing Coffee: A Cat Latte with Chocolate Ears
Amazing Coffee is another shop that you can't miss. I was worried that their signature manekineko latte was sold out since it wasn't on the menu available outside, but I could order it at the counter.
The manekineko latte is a vanilla iced latte topped with a cat made with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and two cone-shaped Apollo chocolates for ears. It also comes complete with the cutest cat paw-shaped wooden stirrer. It was a nice, refreshing drink for a hot summer afternoon in Tokyo's cat capital.
Final Thoughts
If you love cats, especially manekineko, Gotokuji is a fun half-day trip to do in Tokyo.
Not only will you be able to buy manekineko right from the temple where they come from, but you can find a lot of original cat goodies and cat-shaped foods.
Gotokuji is the perfect neighborhood to recharge and enjoy other aspects of Japanese culture, history, and cuisine. If you're looking to explore more local areas of Tokyo with an expert guide, sign up for our fully customizable, Tokyo Full Day Food Tour.
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