Dining at Fukumuro-an Ten Years Later

I'm glad my memory is still working. 

Because I remembered where a place was, a place I went to ten years ago.

Even though back then I did not write down the name. That was back before Google maps was more thorough in noting the names of places in different countries.

But their front window had not changed too much. Just had more there.

And the furniture looked the same.

So I sat down at Fukumuro-an in Gotokuji. One more time. Ten years later.

Looks like they have a few known fans. Sorry I can't read the signatures.

The server there was amazed that I had been there ten years ago. She went to tell the chef. He was happy too, gave me a couple local guides. It was really nice being able to say a few words with them and share smiles.

Of course Fukumuro-an also enjoys the local maneki neko theme. Hot tea served up in tea pot that resembles Chi.

I decided to splurge a little since it was my next to last day in Japan. Duck soba. It was really good.

I definitely recommend Fukumuro-an if you ever find yourself in Gotokuji. They have been serving noodles for a very long time. The Fukumuro-an's website is here http://www.fukumuroan.com/

Gotokuji Sakura

I would be remiss not to mention that Gotokuji Temple has a number of beautiful sakura trees. 

Along with some other beautiful flowers blooming in spring. 

Including gorgeous camellias. 

But really, viewing sakura like this feels like another world. 

The Cemetery at Gotokuji

Just beyond the Maneki Neko temple or shrine at Gotokuji Temple lies the resting place of the Ii clan.

The story goes that because a cat invited in daimyo Ii Naotaka to the temple while during a thunderstorm, Naotaka made it his family temple. Eventually the name was changed to Gotoku based on his Buddhist name given to him after he passed away, Kyushoin-den Gotokuten ei-daikoji.

This all took place in the 17th century so records for parts of the story are not known. But Ii Naotaka did exist and the story has helped continue Gotoku to this day. As to which grave is his, I do not know. But there are impressive markers and more in this cemetery.

I would guess these are Jizo statues from their placement in the cemetery and their red hoods. They are well worn from the elements and much older than the roof that was built over them to protect them.

Meditative Buddha on a lotus flower.

This stone lantern, toro, is interesting because what looks like a tea kettle is carved on it. Perhaps this was originally by a tea room?

While these markers appear discarded, there was actually work being done at some of the graves. 

Moving them would keep them from being damaged. Although some looked like they had been there for a while.

Since there isn't much information online in English about the cemetery, there isn't much I can add. If I have time to look for Japanese sites and find out more, I will add it. Surprising that Gotokuji Temple does not have their own website that I could find. Given it's popularity as the place to go see maneki neko.

Visiting the Maneki Neko Ten Years Later

Since it had been ten years since I visited Gotokuji Temple, I was curious to see how one part of it was.  

This part of the grounds looked almost the same as it did ten years ago. 

I was wondering if there were changes because in the ten years this has become a popular place for tourists to visit. This being the Maneki Neko Temple. 

 Lots of ema with prayers being offered. Interesting that a number were in English. More than I've seen at most other shrines.

Cute version for this year, the year of the dog. 

 And one with horses on it. Since year of the horse was 2014, it's possible this ema has to do with wanting strength since horses represent strength or perhaps because horses were offered to shrines and often used on ema as a way to speed their prayers to the kami.

The other way people offer their prayers to this temple is also very popular. I thought I would check out this area again to see if there were any changes.

And it had. In that the number of maneki neko statues has greatly increased. From from one set of shelves to this. 

So many cats. Even up in the rafters. 

Wrapping around the bottom of the fence.

And over to the building. Even tiny ones on the shelf supports. 

So many cats. For a look at this ten years ago, here is my blog post from that visit http://blukats.blogspot.com/2011/04/gotokujis-maneki-neko.html