Countless lucky cats beckon at Tokyo temple
Countless lucky cats beckon at Tokyo temple
The temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A woman poses for photos with beckoning cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The famous cat figurines are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A broken beckoning cat figurine sits on a shelf at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A visitor takes photos of beckoning cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Commuters ride a Setagaya Line train donned with images of beckoning cats near Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Beckoning cat figurines are on display at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The cat figurines are so plentiful, the Setagaya neighborhood seems proud to carry more luck than the rest of the city combined. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Legend provided by the Gotokuji Buddhist temple says it is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the figurines widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A small beckoning cat figurine is place on top of a large statue at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A prayer is written on a wooden panel donned with an image of a beckoning cat at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, July 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The temple, Gotokuji, a Buddhist temple located in the quiet neighborhood of Setagaya, is the birthplace of beckoning cats. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A woman poses for photos with beckoning cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A woman poses for photos with beckoning cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The famous cat figurines are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The famous cat figurines are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A broken beckoning cat figurine sits on a shelf at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A broken beckoning cat figurine sits on a shelf at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Some visitors come just to snap a few photos, while others make a trip to the temple to pray and make wishes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A visitor takes photos of beckoning cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A visitor takes photos of beckoning cat figurines at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Commuters ride a Setagaya Line train donned with images of beckoning cats near Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Commuters ride a Setagaya Line train donned with images of beckoning cats near Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Beckoning cat figurines are on display at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Beckoning cat figurines are on display at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The cat figurines are so plentiful, the Setagaya neighborhood seems proud to carry more luck than the rest of the city combined. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The cat figurines are so plentiful, the Setagaya neighborhood seems proud to carry more luck than the rest of the city combined. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Legend provided by the Gotokuji Buddhist temple says it is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the figurines widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Legend provided by the Gotokuji Buddhist temple says it is the birthplace of beckoning cats, the figurines widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A small beckoning cat figurine is place on top of a large statue at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A small beckoning cat figurine is place on top of a large statue at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, June 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
According to a centuries-old legend provided by the temple, Gotokuji, the famous cat figurines that are widely believed to bring good luck and prosperity to home and businesses. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A prayer is written on a wooden panel donned with an image of a beckoning cat at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, July 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A prayer is written on a wooden panel donned with an image of a beckoning cat at Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, July 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Countless cats beckon visitors at a temple in a quiet Tokyo neighborhood.