Imado Shrine: All About Japan's 'Love Shrine' with Beckoning Cats

A maneki-neko, or beckoning cat, is a cat-shaped figurine that is often bought by travelers in Japan as a souvenir. You can find them anywhere in Japan, but did you know that the birthplace of the maneki-neko is actually in Asakusa?

Today, we'll introduce Imado Shrine, the place believed to be at the origin of Japan's beckoning cat tradition.

Imado Shrine, the Birthplace of the Beckoning Cats

Imado Shrine is about a 15-minute walk from Asakusa Station on by the Sumida River. Since it's right next to Sensoji Temple, you can easily stop by while sightseeing.

There's a beckoning cat sign in front of the shrine's torii gate. It's relatively easy to find if you look for that.

Maneki-neko were originally made using the Imado-yaki pottery technique (*1). Why were these cat-shaped figurines made here in the first place, though? This is the story that can be found in Imado Shrine.

A long time ago, there lived in Asakusa an old woman with a cat. The old woman was so poor that she had to part with her cat. On the day that she abandoned her crying cat, it appeared in the old woman's dream and said to her,

"Turn me into a doll. Then you'll be happy."

The old woman did as she was told and made a doll that then became widely popular. With the money given to her for the dolls, she was able to rise out of poverty.

This is the story of how the beckoning cats came to be in Asakusa.

*1…There are many other stories about the origins of the maneki-neko.

Prepare to Meet Cats in the Precincts

There are many cats wandering around Imado Shrine, the birthplace of the maneki-neko. The overcrowded maneki-neko figurines within the shrine is a sight unique only to Imado Shrine.

You'll even come across a real cat sometimes. It's a bit funny to see the real thing next to the dolls.

Moreover, Imado Shrine Is a Love Shrine

Japan's first married couple, the gods Izanagi and Izanami who created the Japanese archipelago, are enshrined at Imado Shrine. They are widely known as guardian deities of Love and marital relationships (en-musubi, *2).

After you're done perusing all of the beckoning cats, pay your respects at the shrine.

*2... En-musubi: Related to the destinies or relationships between people, especially between lovers.

You can buy maneki-neko pretty much everywhere, but you can also buy them at their birthplace, Imado Shrine. Fortune will surely come your way by purchasing it at the product's place of origin.

There are also many ema (wish plaques) tied around the area. Of course, there are ema with maneki-neko designs. How about writing your wishes on one of these ema before returning home?

Imado Shrine

1-5-22 Imado, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0024