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.
The “Hitokoto (One-word) Jizo” is famous for granting any wish that can be expressed in a single word…
and the “Migawari (Scapegoat) Jizo” right next to it is famed for volunteering to take your place, even when you deserve to get what’s coming to you.
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.
Whether it’s cherry blossom time (late March)…
or fall leaf season (November)…
…it’s a lovely place to stroll around under the spreading trees
Gokoku-ji’s pagoda is at its Insta-best in the snow…
And the graveyard that stretches out behind and below the main building has a stark beauty when its monuments are hatted in white.
And all year round, the cemetery is home to an excellent crew of temple cats…with attitude.
If you’re looking for loafcats straight out of a woodblock print, this where you’ll see ’em. Best viewing time is after 4:00, when local cat lovers arrive to give them their daily treats.
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:
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Other great shrines & temples you should shouldn’t miss while you’re in Tokyo, from
The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had!
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 