If you love getting lost in temples, you can't miss the Imado Shrine. When you visit this hidden gem of Tokyo, in the heart of Asakusa if you have visited the Gotokuji Temple (you can read the post about this temple here), this one will come to mind quickly. That's because this Buddhist temple, in Setagaya, entirely dedicated to the famous maneki-neko, shares with the Shinto shrine of Asakusa its love for cats 🐈.
What makes the Imado Sanctuary special is that it is dedicated to love!! ❤️ In this post we tell you everything you need to know so you don't miss this visit!
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Imado Shrine - A gem in Asakusa
Imado Jinja is a Shinto shrine located in the Imado area of Asakusa. Originally dedicated to the god of war, Imado Shrine is now a celebration of love, and couples flock there to wish each other a happy marriage.
Furthermore, as we mentioned before, in recent years it has become popular for its association with the ceramic lucky cats "maneki-neko".
The origins of the shrine date back to the 11th century, when a great samurai warrior named Minamoto no Yoshiie visited the shrine. To commemorate his victories in battle, Yoshiie would pray to Hachiman, the god of war, which led to this shrine originally being known as Imado Hachiman Jinja.
However, in 1937 it was merged with another nearby shrine and its name was changed to Imado Jinja. Today, the shrine is dedicated to three gods: Izanagi, Izanami and Fukurokuju, as well as the deified emperor Ojin.
- Izanagi and Izanami are said to be the first married couple in Shinto mythology (hence their popularity among couples), and according to Japanese creation stories, they are the progenitors of the Japanese islands.
- Fukurokuju is one of the Seven Gods of Luck, to whom people pray for happiness, wealth and longevity.
The Legend of Maneki-neko and Imado Shrine: Origin of the Lucky Cat
There are several places in Japan that claim to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, such as the Gotokuji TempleThe legend of the maneki-neko at Imado Shrine is as follows:
- It is said that there was once an old woman who was so poor that she had to get rid of her cat. One night, the cat appeared to her in a dream and told her to make figures in its likeness. The woman then began making cat figures out of Imado pottery and selling them near the Asakusa shrine. These cat sculptures became a hit, allowing the old woman to earn a fortune.
Imado Sanctuary: Love and Cats Everywhere
Imado Jinja has earned a reputation as a “powerful place to find a partner.” Apparently, if you pray here to the gods Izanagi and Izanami, and ask for a good wife or husband, you have a good chance of finding a suitable partner!
Therefore, when you visit the shrine, you will find many ema, or wooden prayer plaques. They come with the Imado Shrine's unique lucky cat couple design.
You can buy one and attach it to your bag or purse, and who knows? You might find love just around the corner. And if you're not looking for a partner, you can do like me and buy one anyway, because they're super Kawaii!
How to get to Imado Temple
📍 Where: 1 Chome-5-22 Imado, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0024, Japan
⏰ Schedule: The opening hours of Asakusa Imado Temple are from 9 am to 5 pm. There is no entrance fee required to enter Imado as the temple is free to enter.
💰 Price: Free
To get to Imado Temple, the best option is to take the train to Asakusa Station. Imado Jinja is a 13-minute walk north from the station.🌐http://imadojinja1063.crayonsite.net/
Dreamer Opinion - Is the Imado Shrine worth visiting?
In my opinion, he is a blunderer YEAHIt is a temple that is in an area that you are going to visit no matter what, so once you have made the obligatory visits such as the Sensoji Temple, Sumida River or Sky Tree, why not spend about 20 minutes of your time seeing something not so touristy?
The volunteer at the Sanctuary's little shop is super friendly and the cat decoration is adorable.
I hope this guide has inspired you to plan your trip to Tokyo: , Don't forget to check out more tips and experiences in our posts about Japan..
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