Japan 3: A Cat Beckons

The Gotoku-ji Temple. Image source.

 

Editorial note: During 2026 Saint Michael's College academic study trip to Japan, our students were matched in small groups with students from Kokugakuin University in Shibuya, Tokyo. The groups set out from campus to explore Tokyo. The interaction was designed to facilitate cross-cultural exchange, provide an opportunity to practice English, and ways for St. Mikes students to explore with their Japanese peers. In many cases, the visits to culturally significant Tokyo attractions were a first both for our students and the Kokugakuin students. Following the tours, Kokugakuin students joined us for a dinner with Japan-based St. Mikes Alumni.

The Gotokuji Temple  

 Shane Geraldez 

    The Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo is famous for being the birth place of the Maneki-Neko cat (aka the beckoning cat or the lucky cat). During our visit at the temple, we got to see the different shrines and temples dedicated to the cat. They had a Grove or path filled with hundreds of tiny clay cats with pictures of deceased beloved cats. We noticed that the clay cats had names written on them. We greatly appreciated the chance to see this cat filled temple, and I hope to come visit again.
    During our outing, we took two trains to get to the temple and were grateful to our Japanese partners who navigated due to their familiarity with the metro system. When we arrived at appropriate station, we walked around 15-20 minutes through a suburban area. Along the way, the two Japanese students taught us some new words to express our feelings. Additionally, we found that it was very common for young children to be independently navigate the complex rail systems of Tokyo at a very young age. On every train journey we observed groups of young children and single individuals in their school uniforms confidently navigating by themselves. 
    In the the temple, we teamed up in groups of two to explore and choose a  tree and wooden structure to further look into. One group looked at a Japanese cedar tree and another looked at the history of the three story wooden temple. It was interesting experience to piece together information written in a different language: however, the Japanese students were very good at translating information.