Maneki Neko: The Story of Japan's Beckoning Cat

Meet the maneki neko, Japan's beckoning cat: its legends, what each raised paw and color means, and how to find the famous cats of Gotokuji temple.

Published October 18, 2026 at 6:50 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The maneki neko is a Japanese good-luck figurine of a seated cat with one paw raised in a beckoning gesture. It is believed to invite customers, money and good fortune, and it is displayed in shops, restaurants and homes, with famous legends tied to Gotokuji temple in Tokyo and Imado in Asakusa.

Walk past almost any ramen counter, dry cleaner or small shop in Japan and there is a good chance a smiling cat is waving at you from beside the register. This is the maneki neko, literally the "beckoning cat," and it may be the most recognizable good-luck charm in the country. This guide explains where the figure comes from, what the raised paw and the colors are said to mean, and how you can meet the cats in person at the Tokyo temple that is famous for them.

What Is a Maneki Neko?

A maneki neko is a small figurine of a seated cat with one paw lifted in a beckoning motion, believed to invite good fortune, customers and money. Many figures hold a koban, an oval gold coin from the Edo period (1603 to 1868), which links the cat to wealth. The paw is not waving goodbye. In Japan the gesture for calling someone over is made with the palm facing down and the fingers curling, and the cat copies exactly that movement.

Modern figures are usually made of ceramic or plastic, while older and collectible pieces can be carved wood, stone, metal or handmade porcelain. You will see them near the entrances of restaurants, bars, hotels, laundromats and pachinko parlors, as well as in family homes. Sizes run from keychain charms to statues taller than a person. Many are also made as coin banks, which fits the theme nicely.

Where Does the Beckoning Cat Come From?

Nobody can point to one certain origin, which is part of the charm. Two stories are told most often, and both are set in the Edo period. In the first, an elderly woman living near Imado Shrine in what is now Tokyo's Asakusa area was too poor to keep her cat. That night the cat appeared in her dream and told her that a figure of it would bring luck. She made a clay cat, sold it near Asakusa Shrine, and the figures proved so popular that her fortunes improved.

The second story belongs to Gotokuji, a Soto Zen Buddhist temple in Tokyo's Setagaya ward. According to the temple's own account, a lord of the Ii clan of Hikone, returning from a falconry outing, noticed a cat beckoning at the temple gate and stopped inside. A thunderstorm then rolled in, and he spent the time in pleasant conversation with the temple's head priest. Grateful for the fortunate stop, he supported the temple, and it later became the family temple of the Ii clan. Some researchers think that clay figures sold in Asakusa, known as Imado ware, were an early version of the lucky cat, so the legends and the crafts may well have grown up side by side.

What Do the Paw and the Colors Mean?

The meaning of the raised paw depends on which one it is, although the details shift from region to region and from era to era. A common explanation is that a lifted left paw welcomes customers, which makes it popular in shops and restaurants, while a lifted right paw draws in money and is often chosen for homes. Some cats raise both paws, and some modern designs have an arm that moves up and down. If you are shopping for one, it is perfectly fine to pick the cat whose face you like best.

Color adds another layer. White, the traditional shade, stands for general good luck. Black is said to ward off evil, red is linked with good health, and yellow or gold with wealth. Pink is associated with romance. Rather than treating the list as strict rules, think of it as a menu of wishes: people often choose a color that matches the hope they have for the year ahead.

Where Can You See Lucky Cats at Gotokuji Temple?

Gotokuji in Setagaya is widely known as the "cat temple," and it is the best single place to see maneki neko in large numbers. Visitors who stroll through the grounds will find rows of white cats offered by people whose wishes came true. The temple office sells maneki neko figures and amulets, and its ema, the wooden plaques on which wishes are written, show a beckoning cat together with the zodiac animal of the year. Near the three-story pagoda, visitors can also look for the cat among the zodiac animal carvings.

The temple is also a place of history. The Ii clan, lords of the Hikone domain, are remembered here, and the main hall dates to the seventeenth century. Access is simple: the temple's official site says it is about a five-minute walk from Miyanosaka Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line, or about fifteen minutes from Gotokuji Station on the Odakyu Line. As of autumn 2026 the official site lists the grounds as open from 6:00 to 17:00, but please check the site before you go, since hours and notices can change.

How Do You Choose and Use a Lucky Cat?

Choosing a maneki neko is a friendly, low-pressure tradition. Many people buy a cat as a gift for a new shop, a new home or a new chapter in life, and it is common to place it near an entrance where it can "welcome" what comes through the door. A cat bought at a temple or shrine is usually kept in a clean, respectful spot such as a shelf, not on the floor. At Gotokuji, the temple notes that devotion is not mandatory, and that people often come back to leave a cat of thanks once a wish has been granted.

Good manners at the temple are simple. Treat the figures gently, since they were offered with sincere thanks, and the temple has asked visitors not to write on them. Keep your voice low in the precincts, and be kind to any neighborhood cats that wander by; the temple even says that meeting one may bring something good. If you buy a souvenir cat anywhere in Japan, you are following a tradition that is centuries old.

Quick Takeaways

The maneki neko is a cheerful symbol of welcome, with roots in Edo-period folk stories from Asakusa and Gotokuji. A raised left paw is commonly read as inviting customers, a raised right paw as inviting money, and the colors express different wishes, from health to romance. You can see the most famous collection of these cats at Gotokuji in Setagaya, an easy trip from central Tokyo.

Whether you take one home or just enjoy the waving cats you spot on your travels, you are joining a long, warm tradition of wishing others good luck. Next time a little cat beckons from a shop window, you will know exactly what it is trying to say.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the raised paw of a maneki neko mean?

A raised left paw is commonly said to welcome customers, while a raised right paw is said to attract money. The meaning can vary by region and era, so many people simply choose the cat they like best. Some cats raise both paws.

What do the different colors of maneki neko mean?

White is the traditional color for general good luck. Black is said to ward off evil, red is linked with good health, yellow or gold with wealth, and pink with romance. Many people pick a color that matches the wish they have in mind.

Where can you see lots of maneki neko in Tokyo?

Gotokuji, a Soto Zen temple in Tokyo's Setagaya ward, is famous as the cat temple, where many white maneki neko are offered by visitors. The temple is a short walk from Miyanosaka Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line. Check its official site for current hours.