Why is it “covered in cats”…along with other famous tourist attractions?” I visited Gotokuji in Setagaya, the 7th most popular inbound destination.

Some people say they stop by every time they come to Japan…

I wondered if visitors from overseas also came to see these cats. When we asked what countries they came from, they were from the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Poland, Taiwan, China, and many others. Looking at the ema (votive picture tablet), there was almost no Japanese.

It seems that visitors come from all over the world. When asked why they came to Gotokuji Temple, most of them answered “because I like cats,” but some said they were interested in traditional Japanese things. At the same time, many also answered, “I like this temple.

It’s quiet and relaxing. Peaceful.” Many said, “It’s peaceful. Some of them like the temple so much that they drop by every time they visit Japan.

It is a five-minute walk from Miyanosaka Station on the Setagaya Line. As you walk in, you will see dense trees surrounded by a wall. The temple grounds are lined with plum and cherry trees, creating a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the city center.

The sense of “Japan” may be one of the reasons for Gotokuji’s popularity.