Gokoku-ji Temple

Gokoku-ji is one of my favorite temples, because it’s home to the best graveyard, the best cats, and two of the strangest shrines in Tokyo.

First, let’s go see the One-word Saint and the Scapegoat Saint. They’re to the right as we walk through the gate at the top of the stairs.

After we ask the resident saints to grant our hearts’ desires and let us duck our just deserts, lets backtrack and head up to the main sanctuary and pagoda, because they’re magnificent in any season.

Note: Don’t confuse this temple (Gokoku-ji) with Gotoku-ji, which is the lucky cat temple. If you’d like to visit the lucky cat temple instead, click here:

Click here for more

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Jonelle Patrick is the author of five novels set in Japan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon

“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist

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