Private Tour
Gotokuji and Setagaya Walking Tour: Home of the Lucky Cat Statue
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover a different side of Tokyo in this charming 3.0 hour walking tour through Setagaya, a leafy, upscale neighborhood known for its peaceful shrines, historic charm, and the birthplace of Japan’s beloved lucky cat. Perfect for those wanting to escape the crowds and see a more local, authentic side of the city all just a short ride from central Tokyo.
・Visit Gotokuji Temple, home to over 1,000 lucky cats and the legendary origin of the maneki-neko
・Stroll through tranquil shrines like Setagaya Hachimangu and Shoinjinja, steeped in Edo and Meiji-era history
・Experience local life in stylish shopping streets and cafés, where Tokyo’s modern charm meets timeless tradition
・During the walk through the shopping street, enjoy a free drink (up to ¥800)
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please join us wearing shoes that are easy to walk in because you will walk the mountain paths.
Tour duration can be extended at a rate of 5,000 yen per group, per hour, payable in cash.
Hotel pickup will incur an additional fee of ¥5,000 per group (for hotels in Tokyo & Yokohama area)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Setagaya Hachimangu
Autumn matsuri held at Setagaya Hachimangu, one of the larger shrines in Setagaya Ward. Notable for the dohyo (sumo ring) set up in the grounds of the shrine and the honosumo (奉納相撲) event.
Gotokuji Temple
Gotokuji Temple is the beginning of the Kotokuin hermitage built by Kira Masatada who built Setagaya Castle in 1480. Originally it was Rinzai sect but in 1584 it became a temple of the Soto sect. There are many sights in the precincts such as the tomb of Ii Naosuke, the greatest authority of the Tokugawa shogunate in the middle of the 19th century, the three-story pagoda, the worshiping of the invincible Kannon, but the most attractive point is the good fortune beckoning cat, known as the “manekineko” to some. This lucky cat, known country-wide, is said to have been “born” here. The sight of 1,000 or more of these “cats” lined up is now one of the landscapes that represents Tokyo. It is said that the lucky cat, familiar to Japanese as a good luck symbol, is the birthplace of Gotokuji Temple. You’ll learn about the origin of the lucky cat in the guide on the day of the tour.
What‘s Included
1 free drink (up to 800 yen) at Shoinjinja shopping street
Professional guide
Lunch
Hotel pickup and drop-off (Available for an extra fee)
Transportation to/from attractions
Options
Gotokuji and Setagaya Walking Tour: Home of the Lucky Cat Statue
Reviews
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Nice neighbourhood to explore in Tokyo
Mitchel L,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Knowledgeable young guide. Helpful and courteous. Was like a personal tour around the cat themed neighbourhood. Recommended.
Cat temple and so much more!
JeanMarie N,Apr 24, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We spent a fabulous half-day wit Mitsuko, who was kind, informative, and fun! We expected to just see the cat temple, but we got to go to several temples and shrines in the area, learn about the neighborhood, and even do some shopping. Mitsuko was an authentic and responsive guide who kept us engaged the whole time.
Gotokuji History with Yumi
Lani K,Feb 13, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Yumi was an excellent tour guide! She showed us how to enter a shrine along with purity & prayer rituals. We thoroughly enjoyed the history of every shrine including the origin of the lucky cat. Thank you, Yumi!
Highly recommend Emiko!
Nathaniel W,Oct 30, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Emiko was a phenomenal tour guide! She was so knowledgeable, fun and considerate. We had such a great time, would highly recommend and were especially grateful for her help navigating the area. Very happy with the experience!
Highly recommended
Survived321,Jan 18, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Could not recommend this highly enough. We were emersed in the local cuture from the beginning of the tour. The traditional tea ceremony was amazing. The guide spoke excellent English and was very knowledgeable. This is a must do when in Tokyo.
This tour is exactly what I was...
Sarah N,Aug 2, 2018
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour is exactly what I was hoping it would be. We had a great morning with our tour guide Yoshimi exploring the local area of Gotokuji and visiting the Lucky Cat Temple.
We have been to Tokyo before and seek out more off the grid and local experiences when we can. This tour was new to Viator and outside the hustle and bustle of the Tokyo we know, thus why we thought it might be interesting. We are also crazy about the Lucky Cat, so thought this would be fun and lucky to see.
Yoshimi, our tour guide, was so nice, knowledgable, easy to walk and talk with and continually wanted to ensure we were taken care of. She met us at the subway station on this rainy day and we spent 3.5 hours on foot exploring at a slow, relaxed pace the quaint little streets, the local little shops and activity of a regular Saturday for this community which seemed void of most tourists. More shops would most likely be open if you book this tour for the later time versus the 9AM start that we took.
This tour is local, slow paced, focused on the Gotokuji community and exactly what I was hoping for. A simply lovely little morning. Thank you Yoshimi!
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