4000 Lucky Cats Gather Together? The Fortune-filled '豪德寺'

Located in Tokyo, '豪德寺' is famous for having many lucky cats.

They are densely lined up together, said to be about 4,000 in number!

Lucky cats have been enshrined here since about 390 years ago.

At that time, a castle lord named 井伊直孝 passed by the temple. Seeing the lucky cat placed at the temple gate, he found it very amusing and decided to take a short rest in the temple.

Just as 井伊直孝 was talking with the monks inside the temple, a thunderstorm suddenly broke out. If he had not chosen to rest in the temple, he would not only have been soaked to the skin, but might also have been struck by lightning if unlucky.

井伊直孝 felt very fortunate about this.

Thereafter, 井伊直孝 gave generous support to 豪德寺, and the originally dilapidated temple was carefully renovated. Therefore, the lucky cat that had been placed at the gate was also enshrined as a symbol of good luck.

Common lucky cats in Japan often hold a gold coin, which also symbolizes attracting financial fortune.

However, the lucky cats of 豪德寺 are different; they do not hold a gold coin. It is said that this design is meant to convey that when people pray for success, aside from relying on the good luck brought by the lucky cat, they must also make their own efforts.

The lucky cats of 豪德寺 not only bring good luck but also convey the idea that luck + effort = success.

Many unexpected corners of 豪德寺 hide cute lucky cats, so be sure to look carefully!

豪德寺 2-24-7, 豪德寺, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Visiting hours: [Late March~] 6:00~18:00 [Late September~] 6:00~17:00

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