Special Feature
Tokoname: The City of Beckoning Cats Special Feature
A city with feline themes everywhere you look!
Manekineko, or beckoning cats, are a distinctive lucky charm of Japan. And we in Tokoname City are actually the largest manufacturer of them, making it easy to find these cute little kitties all over the city in a variety of different styles.
This special feature lets you in on all the best spots to see Tokoname's beckoning cats, areas with unique cat-themed sweets, and where to buy the best souvenirs. Come to Tokoname for the purrrfect trip full of these adorable felines!
Table of Contents
Charming, chubby Tokoname-style beckoning cats
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Tokoname-style beckoning cat characteristics
Beckoning cats were born in Asakusa, Tokyo during the Edo period after an old woman created an earthenware cat as instructed by one that came to her in a dream. Soon after, she is said to have been blessed with good fortune. These earthenware beckoning cats became a sort of craze, leading to their manufacture all around Japan as a lucky charm.
Tokoname-ware beckoning cats are known as "Tokoname-kei", or Tokoname-style, with giant eyes and a chubby body like two ball stacked on top of one another. There is meaning behind the cat's raised paw as a raised right paw beckons monetary prosperity while a raised left paw beckons patrons.
The cats continue to evolve even today with different colors to make different wishes come true.
Meaning behind beckoning cat colors
●Pink: Romantic aspirations ●Blue: Safety ●Yellow: Finding a good partner ●Green: Passing tests
●Gold: Monetary luck 〇White: General luck and fortune ●Black: Protection against misfortune ●Red: Good health
Baigetsu Tomimoto Dolls: An 80% grab
of the entire Japanese beckoning cat market
As we previously explained, beckoning cats have been loved by many since long ago. Tokoname manufactured the cats even before WWII, but the forms were much slimmer like an actual cat. From the late to 1940s to mid-1950s, the founder of Baigetsu Tomimoto Dolls teamed up with a friend and sculptor for a bold new idea: to give the conservative looks of the time a brand-new face—literally. The head became rounder, the eyes bigger, and a cute, and the cats gained a chubbier midsection. This unique design tugged at the heartstrings of many, and before you know it, they were going all over the country.
Baigetsu Tomimoto Dolls boasts a history of around 80 years, and each and every one of its cats are hand crafted by skilled artisans. From small to large, the varieties are incredible. Even now, the cats make their way not only around Japan but the world with fond patrons in multiple countries.
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Sold at different stores around the city
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A rich variation of body sizes and colors
Basic info
• Address: 2-161 Hojicho, Tokoname City
• Hours: 9:00 am–12:00 pm / 1:00 pm–5:00 pm
• Closed: Weekends, national holidays, Golden Week consecutive spring holiday, Obon consecutive summer holiday, and the year-end/New Year holiday
Where to buy Baigetsu Tomimoto Dolls beckoning cats
Beckoning cat spots around Tokoname
Get the scoop on the go-to spots for beckoning cats around their foremost producer, Tokoname City!
Tokonyan, the Guardian Cat of Tokoname
Walking around the city, you may suddenly come across Tokonyan, as it's affectionately called. This huge beckoning cat acts a sort of guardian over the city, peaking out over a giant wall at 3.8 meters tall and 6.3 meters wide.
This spot is a popular destination, acting as the symbol for the city of beckoning cats and is commonly found in snapshots with celebrities. Come visit, and who knows, maybe your big wish will come true!
Tokoname Manekineko-dori Street
One giant aforementioned beckoning cat, 39 auspicious pottery beckoning cats, and 11 real-looking cats line the concrete wall of affectionately known Tokoname Manekineko-dori Street on the prefectural road from Meitetsu Tokoname Station to the east of Tokoname Ceramic Hall. Don't miss the sign boards of the auspicious pottery beckoning cats with the artists' names and blessings.
Basic info
• Address: Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
Otafuku and Omusubi (AEON MALL Tokoname)
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Otafuku
Walk through the front doors of AEON MALL Tokoname, and you're greeted by Otafuku. This giant beckoning cat stands six meters and 50 centimeters high—one of the largest Tokoname-style beckoning cats in the world. Otafuku's name literally means "much luck", and it imparts this luck to all who visit the area.
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Omusubi
Omusubi is a golden, Tokoname-ware beckoning cat with its left paw raised to beckon a good match for those paying homage. The left paw features a red heart, which when touched may grant your wishes.
Basic info
AEON MALL Tokoname
• Address: 2-20-3 Rinkucho, Tokoname City
• Hours: 10:00 am–9:00 pm (specialty AEON MALL store)
Mitakezan Tounji Temple
Mitakezan Tounji Temple was opened by Zenkai Hosshi in 1555. Neko Daishi, with a name similar to the word for cat in Japanese ("neko") though written with different kanji, greets worshippers in the Main Hall. Like images of famous Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi, Neko Daishi has prayer beads in the left paw with a sacred Buddhist vajra trident in the right, but behind Neko Daishi's smiling face is yet another! The reverse side depicts another cat with hands together praying as a representation of us. The entire two-sided sculpture depicts two persons making the same journey. That is to say, Neko Daishi is always with us on the journey through life.
Leave some bonito flakes and you may find yourself the benefactor of some divine aid. You can also get a cute, commemorative temple stamp of Neko Daishi.
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A mirror reflection of Neko Daishi's opposite side
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Neko Daishi stamp
Basic info
• Address: 2-37 Idotacho, Tokoname City
There are plenty of other cats all around the city, so have a look!
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Tokonyan holding a shrimp fritter
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Yamatane beckoning cat
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A postal cat on a mailbox
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Cat prints at a crosswalk
Where to buy beckoning cats
Find everything from a traditional beckoning cat from Baigetsu Tomimoto Dolls to playful, unique varieties by Tokoname-ware artists. That one special kitty is just waiting for you.
Experiences and chance encounters available nowhere else await you at each shop!
Machi no Eki Yamatane Shop
This complex offers patrons an extensive product lineup, pottery classes, and local Tokoname produce all in the name of seeing, creating, knowing, and shopping. Machi no Eki Yamatane Shop too greets you with an enormous three-meter-tall beckoning cat at the entrance!
Diverse beckoning cat designs line the shelves of the interior.
The beautiful, modern Yamatane original Monetary Fortune Mansukeneko Cat, an evolutionary departure from the Tokoname style, is worth noticing. The Mansukeneko Cat was designed by Buhachi Ina, a Tokoname-ware sculptor in the medium for 60 years. With such a friendly, smiling face and big bell, it's sure to ring in a little good luck.
Shofuku Manekineko Jinja Shrine
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A shrine and fortunes are available inside
Basic info
• Address: 7-56 Okujo, Tokoname City
• Hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
• Closed: Never
Tokoname Dot Com (inside AEON MALL Tokoname)
Beckoning cats are available for purchase behind Otafuku at AEON MALL Tokoname. A rich variety is available to shoppers and is even fun just to take a look at. Have a look for the one best suited to your home or business.
An area where you can paint a beckoning cat with your favorite colors is also available as well as a spot with different knick-knacks.
Basic info
Tokoname Dot Com (inside AEON MALL Tokoname)
• Address: 2-20-3 Rinkucho, Tokoname City
• Hours: 10:00 am–9:00 pm
Hotaruko
This gallery stands just outside the national important tangible folk cultural property noborigama, or climbing kiln, near the middle of the Pottery Footpath. Beckoning cats and dishes by Tokoname-ware artists, Buddhist Jizo Bodhisattva statues by the owner, and pieces by creative artists from other areas are available for purchase.
The store's (real) cat Miru-chan walks around like its the actual manager of the joint, drawing in crowds with its cute calls and gestures.
Basic info
• Address: 6-140 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
• Hours: 10:00 am–5:00 pm
• Closed: Thu and year-end/New Year holiday
Climbing Kiln Plaza Gallery and Studio
This workshop lies along the Pottery Footpath's A Course. The second floor houses a shop area with potters' works, a pottery classroom, and hands-on workshops where you can paint your own beckoning cats, ornaments, and other small pieces. You can design them using either a brush or special pens, so its easy for anyone to take part in—children and adults alike—so try making your own!
The first floor displays a preserved double-sided coal-burning kiln.
Basic info
• Address: 6-145 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
• Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm
• Closed: Wed and year-end/New Year holiday
Cat-motif souvenirs and sweets
Tokoname, the City of Cats, is filled with feline-themed souvenirs and sweets, like charming monaka sweet bean paste sandwiches in the form of a beckoning cat and baked treats with cat illustrations. Take home some cat merchandise for a little added fun to your everyday!
Tokoname Baked Donuts
Work Center Kajima is a facility offering employment support to those with disabilities. Within its premises is the cafe Chikatsu's Kiln, which serves Tokoname Baked Donuts with a cute cat mark seared on. The creation of these fluffy donuts is overseen by neighboring Higashiura Town's famous restaurant Hitotsu Mugi. They use 100% Japanese-grown soybean tofu, making them a healthy alternative to regular donuts, and are raved about for their slight sweetness satisfying every bit of the diner's mouth.
The Kiln Cat Cookies created by potter Hikari Masuda and Work Center Kajima are another item worth checking out.
Basic info
Chikatsu's Kiln
• Address: 2-167 Kajimadai, Tokoname City
• Hours: 10:00 am–3:00 pm
• Closed: Sun, national holidays, and the year-end/New Year holiday
Lucky Beckoning Cat Monaka Sandwiches
Tokoname's long-standing mochi confectionery Ohkura Mochi presents the lip-smacking and exciting Lucky Beckoning Cat Monaka Sandwiches. Monaka are a Japanese confection of two thin wafers sandwiching a sweet bean paste. Spread canned Kintoki bean paste between the wafers and become your own Japanese confectioner. A fortune comes with the set, and if you draw a golden Fuku-chan, an auspicious future may await you...
Basic info
Okura Mochi
• Address: 2-2-1 Koie Hommachi Tokoname City
• Hours: 9:00 am–6:00 pm (confectionery open from 10:00 am with orders taken until 5:00 pm)
• Closed: Mon (open if Mon coincides with a national holiday
Note:
• Check the official Okura Mochi site (External link. Japanese only.)>> for information on other retailers and online shopping.
Nikukyu Financiers
These financiers look just like a round cat's paw, hence the name Nikukyu, or "Paw", Financiers. The cakes are available exclusively at Tokoname Ceramic Hall and folk house cafe Yamahei Hanare, near Tokoname Station.
The characteristic financier's mellow butter and aromatic almond powder scent are the product of Yamahei Hanare's popular sister bakery, cocon3 in Tokai City.
Basic info
Tokoname Ceramic Hall
• Address: 3-8 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
• Hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
• Closed: Never, aside from the year-end/New Year holiday
Purchase at these other locations
Beckoning Cat Biscuits
These biscuits take on the motif of Tokoname-style beckoning cats' popular design, like that of giant municipal guardian Tokonyan and the many others along Tokoname Manekineko-dori Street, linking Meitetsu Tokoname Station and the Pottery Footpath. Patisserie Carette delivers an incredible crunch with its Beckoning Cat Biscuits and the satisfying flavors of butter and Tokoname milk.
Basic info
Tokoname Ceramic Hall
• Address: 3-8 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
• Hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
• Closed: Never, aside from the year-end/New Year holiday
Purchase at these other locations
Google Map location of 「Carrette Western Confectionery Shop」
Motonyan
Potter Matsumoto with the Higashi East workshop along the Pottery Footpath offers the world Motonyan figurines with each one decorated by hand.
Motonyan enjoy a warmth only available from hand-drawn artwork and creative use of color for a truly one-of-a-kind product you can really call your own. Get your own at the Tokoname City Tourism Plaza just outside Meitetsu Tokoname Station.
Basic info
Tokoname Ceramic Hall
• Address: 3-8 Sakaemachi, Tokoname City
• Hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
• Closed: Never, aside from the year-end/New Year holiday
Guardian cat stickers
Find these appealing stickers at Tokoname Dot Com, located inside AEON MALL Tokoname. There are so many unique products to choose from, like adorable Tokonyan, the Guardian Cat of Tokoname; beckoning cats with their right paws up; left paws up; those with sunglasses; and even ones taking pictures!
These stickers are water-resistant, so feel free to put them on your car or any other outdoor items as protection by Tokonyan.
Basic info
Tokoname Dot Com (inside AEON MALL Tokoname)
• Address: 2-20-3 Rinkucho, Tokoname City
• Hours: 10:00 am–9:00 pm