Tokushima｜Legend of the "Cat God" Fulfilling Wishes Hidden Gem in Tokushima's Bunka no Mori: Oji Shrine

Oji Shrine, dedicated to the Cat God, is not the easiest place to reach, yet it attracts visitors daily for worship. If you're lucky, the cats at the shrine might even roll over and play with you. Located in Bunka no Mori, a cultural hub featuring museums, art galleries, and libraries, the shrine can be reached by climbing a set of stairs. The main deity worshipped here is Amaterasu's third son, Amatsuhiko Hikoho Ninigi no Mikoto, commonly referred to as "Neko God" due to the phonetic similarity of "neko" (cat) in Japanese. He is known as the God of Oaths in Japanese mythology. Inside the worship hall, you'll find numerous lucky cat figurines left by visitors as tokens of gratitude, along with cat treats and food. The walls are adorned with ema (wooden prayer plaques) and lucky cat decorations. The story dates back 300 years when a woman named Asatsu faced a tragic fate. Her husband borrowed money from a wealthy man and died from exhaustion after repaying the debt. Despite clearing the debt, they failed to obtain proof of repayment. Asatsu pleaded her case to the magistrate but was sentenced to death. Before her execution, she asked her beloved cat, Ayu, to avenge her. Ayu turned into a vengeful spirit, haunting the wealthy man and the magistrate. Eventually, the Awa domain magistrate, Hasegawa, built a shrine to honor Ayu, calming the unrest. Ayu became known as the "Cat God of Wish Fulfillment," making Oji Shrine a popular site for worship. Today, the shrine is home to six cats, whose names and photos are displayed on the walls for visitors to get acquainted with them. A playground has also been built for the cats to enjoy. Shrine staff mentioned that they provide food and water not only for the resident cats but also for any stray cats that come by, making the shrine a sanctuary for them. 📍Address: 〒770-8070 Tokushima Prefecture, Tokushima City, Hachimancho Mukojiyama 55 🚗 From JR Bunka no Mori Station, a 30-minute walk will take you to the shrine.