Taito, Japan
Imado Shrine
A Tokyo shrine said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko — with cat-themed charms and occasional feline visitors.
About Imado Shrine
Imado Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo, is traditionally regarded as one of the birthplaces of the maneki-neko. The shrine sells cat-themed omamori and ema, and live cats sometimes rest on the grounds. It is a cultural cat spot rather than a large street-cat colony — pair it with a walk through nearby Asakusa and Sumida River areas.
How to get to Imado Shrine
From Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Toei Asakusa Line), walk about 15–20 minutes northeast toward the Sumida River and Imado area. Bus route 41 from Asakusa Station to the Imado stop is also convenient — the shrine is right nearby. A taxi from the Asakusa Station area is also convenient when you have luggage or prefer not to walk (about 5–10 minutes).
Shrine office hours are 9:00–16:00 (open year-round). Live cats may or may not be present. This is an active shrine — please visit quietly.
- Take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa Station.
- From Asakusa Station, walk about 15–20 minutes to Imado Shrine.
Or take bus route 41 from Asakusa Station and get off at the Imado stop — the shrine is right nearby.
A taxi from the Asakusa Station area is also convenient when you have luggage or prefer not to walk (about 5–10 minutes). - Visit Imado Shrine — look for cat-themed charms and, if you are lucky, a cat on the grounds.
Location & map
Open in Google MapsImado Shrine Walking Map
A walking route from Senso-ji to Imado Shrine. Highlights include cat-themed charms and occasional cats on the grounds. Please visit quietly — do not feed or disturb any cats. Locations are approximate.
Imado Shrine Spot Guide
Visited August 2026
August 13, 2026 — visited in the morning after days of rain following a typhoon. I didn’t meet a live cat again this time, but I was able to take photos at a slow pace in the shrine’s maneki-neko atmosphere. Yamayabori Park nearby has silver cat statues and other figures — worth combining with a visit to the shrine.
Nearby cat spots
Yanaka
Taito, Japan
A historic Tokyo neighborhood where cats are part of everyday street life — especially around Yanaka Ginza and the cemetery paths.
Gotokuji Temple
Setagaya, Japan
The Tokyo temple famous for countless maneki-neko figurines — and occasional temple cats.
Happiness Maneki-neko Train (Tokyu Setagaya Line)
Setagaya, Japan
A cat-themed wrapping train running the full Tokyu Setagaya Line — Miyanosaka Station is the nearest stop to Gotokuji Temple.
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