Imado Shrine
Tokyo, Kanto
Here’s one for the cat lovers: Tokyo’s Imado Shrine (Imado Jinja) is dedicated to maneki neko, the waving feline figurines that welcome you into almost every shop and restaurant in Japan. The shrine actually dates back to the 11th century and was originally dedicated to the Shinto god of war, but over time has become associated with the beckoning cats.
The basics
Located in the Imado area of Tokyo’s traditional Asakusa neighborhood, the Imado Shrine came to be associated with maneki neko because Imado was a pottery-making hub during the Edo period (17th-19th centuries). According to local lore, the clay cats were first sold at the gates of the Imado Shrine.
Nowadays, the shrine is also believed to be a lucky matchmaking spot. So, whether you’re looking for love or cute kitties, it’s a fun place to visit. Most people go independently, as it’s not a major tourist attraction, though other nearby sites are. You could ask to visit the Imado Shrine on private, customizable tours of Asakusa.
Things to know before you go
- While the Imado area isn’t the pottery hub it once was, it’s still a good place to buy maneki neko souvenirs.
- The shrine is an active place of worship, so follow shrine etiquette when visiting, such as washing your hands and mouth, bowing, and clapping.
- Admission is free but it’s customary to drop a coin into donation boxes.
How to get there
The shrine is in Imado, an area north of Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood. It’s northeast of the popular Senso-ji Temple, a major tourist attraction, and about a 15-minute walk from the nearest train stations (Tokyo Metro, Toei, and Tobu Asakusa stations), so public transit is the best way to get there unless you’re on a guided tour by private car.
When to get there
The shrine is open daily during regular business hours, until late afternoon or early evening. The third full weekend in May is an especially lively time to visit Asakusa, as it hosts the annual 3-day Sanja festival. The parades are focused around other major shrines and temples, but this is still a fun, though busy, time to visit the Imado Shrine.
Visit the radish temple
A short walk from the Imado Shrine you’ll find the Honryuin Temple, which is dedicated to daikon radishes. The temple’s main deity, Kangiten, is often portrayed holding a daikon, so people offer daikon at the altar, and there are daikon motifs all around the space. It’s a lesser-visited sight that provides a bit of a respite from Asakusa’s crowds.
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