One of the local stops along my daily commute would be Gotoku-ji, known for its maneki neko temple. One day, on which I had some free time, I decided to stop by. The temple is within walking distance from Gotokuji Station and in spring, the temple bustles with life. Trees and shrubberies are accompanied by plum blossoms, their white petals covering the pathways below. People flock to the temple to pray and see the countless maneki neko statues that surround the temple. Rows upon rows of varying sized maneki neko are placed on wooden shelves. Their raised hands appear as if they are greeting the temple’s visitors. Folks pose and smile in front of a multitude of white and red statues while their friends snap photos. What’s more, visitors can buy their own maneki neko. The smallest was almost as tall as a five-hundred-yen coin, while the biggest was comparable to a vase. You can place your own maneki neko amongst the many others to contribute to the beautiful tradition.

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