Lucky cats @ Gotokuji Temple: Jan. 8-22, 2023

Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya City is one of the places I often visit.

The temple is famous for its connection with lucky cats.

The temple celebrates the cats from the Edo period.

Later, lucky cat dolls have been developed. 

The Lucky cats are believed to call for good fortune (and money). (See the top photo)

People regularly dedicate the dolls to temples. Many people in Tokyo do so to Gotokuji Temple.

The number of dedicated cats increase in the new-year season.

The temple added the shelves for the cat dolls this year.

There are many visitors there both on 8^th and 22^nd of January.

I saw many foreign tourists.

New-year visits to shrines: Jan 1-3, 2023

 

The year of 2023 began.

Tokyo is peace, but Ukraine and some other countries are in war.

I hope the situations will be better in the conflict-torn areas.

 

I visited shrines and temples to make my new-year prays.

Many people made a long queue at Yoyogi Hachiman in Shibuya City, in Tokyo. (See also the top photo)

Calligraphy of school kids were displayed at the sides of the approach.

Open-air stalls were open for the visitors.

 

I also visited Rokusho Shrine in Setagaya City. (See also the 2nd photo)

The left photo is a scene taken in the night.

I prayed not only for my good health and happiness but also for peace in Ukraine.