The Quiet Kingdom of Lucky Cats

#TokyoItinerary Day 1: First Encounter with the Japanese Style of Gotoku-ji Temple Early in the morning, I took the Odakyu Line to Gotoku-ji Temple in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, an ancient temple famous for its lucky cat. Entering the temple, you will be greeted by lush ancient trees and quiet paths, exuding a strong Japanese atmosphere. The biggest highlight of the temple is the lucky cat area, where thousands of white cat statues of various sizes are neatly arranged on wooden frames. People who pray for peace and fortune worship them here. I quietly admired these cat statues, as if I could feel the peaceful power they brought. In the afternoon, I tasted a bowl of matcha in the small tea room in the temple and carefully experienced the cultural heritage of this quiet place. Day 2: Finding Hidden Stories The next day, I went to Gotokuji Temple again to explore the details that I had never noticed before. The temple's bell tower and the stone tablets scattered in the garden tell of the long and vicissitudes of history. I learned from the tour guide that Gotokuji Temple is one of the birthplaces of the Maneki Neko, which originated from an ancient story: a white cat saved a passing feudal lord, and the temple has been prosperous ever since. I strolled through the surrounding residential areas and discovered some cute lucky cat sculptures hidden in some alleys, which made me smile. Before ending my trip, I bought a mini lucky cat from a small shop next to the temple as a souvenir, hoping it can bring more beauty and blessings to my life.