[2025 Anan Attraction] Travel Guide for Ōmatsu Daigongen (Updated May)

#aprilblooms If you’re a cat person (or just love adorable spots), Ōmatsu Daigongen in Tokushima is calling your name! This charming little shrine is filled with hundreds of maneki-neko (beckoning cat) statues, making the whole place feel more cute than sacred — in the best possible way. Walking through the grounds during spring is extra special. The warm weather, blooming greenery, and all those lucky cats create a quirky, peaceful vibe that’s super unique. It’s not a huge touristy shrine, which makes the visit even more chill and fun. Why You Should Visit: ✔ Tons of maneki-neko statues = cat lover’s dream come true. ✔ Quiet, off-the-beaten-path location perfect for a peaceful stroll. 📍Address: Fuke-64-1 Kamocho, Anan, Tokushima 771-5173 #Anan #Tokushima #Japan #CatShrine #ManekiNeko #SpringVibes

📍Omatsu Daigongen During the Edo period, Omatsu, the wife of a village headman in Kamo Village, Naka County (present-day Kamo Town, Anan City), decided to die to appeal the unjust plots of a wealthy man and magistrate who had cheated her husband out of his land, and was executed along with her beloved cat. To avenge her master's grudge, Omatsu's cat turned into a monster, and is said to have cursed the family of her enemy for generations until she finally achieved her revenge, and Omatsu's tragedy is well known as one of the three great cat legends in Japan. Later, out of pity for Omatsu, the villagers built "Omatsu Daigongen," which is still affectionately known as "Cat God." He is known as a god of victory in competitions, and during exam season, the shrine is bustling with pilgrims who come to pray for success, and people come to pray for victory in lawsuits, sports, and elections, prosperity in business, and good fortune. It was a really cute spot with cat-themed items placed all around the temple grounds. #0yentravelFebruary2025

“Omatsu Daigongen” is a shrine I found through a tourist information center. I was first attracted by the Maneki Neko, and after checking, I found that it was less than an hour's drive away, and the whole journey was on the highway, so I decided to go. 🚗 How to get there We drove. There is a parking lot outside the shrine, and there are not many cars, so you can park with confidence. But the mountain road is very narrow, so be careful when driving. Please note that the shrine closes at 5 pm. You can visit, but due to the lighting, there may not be much to see, so it is recommended to go early. Otherwise, you won't be able to buy Omamori. By bus: JR Anan Station → Take the Anan Bus bound for Kamo, get off at Omatsu Daigongen, about 40 minutes. 🚶 What to see 1️⃣ After parking, there is a hand-washing pool, and a Maneki Neko is waiting for you here. Remember to wash your hands before entering the shrine. 2️⃣ A black and white kitten will follow you, so cute! It seems to be welcoming us. 3️⃣ The gate of the shrine is very old. It is said that it was built by villagers in the Edo period to sympathize with a cat who was entrusted with resentment by its owner. It is known as the god of competition and the god of wishes. 4️⃣ There are small cat paw prints on the road from the hand-washing pool to the gate of the shrine, which are very cute. 5️⃣ There is a large newly built Maneki Neko next to the gate of the shrine. 6️⃣ The Omamori are also small cats, and there are many small cat statues in the shrine. 7️⃣ There is a Buddhist temple behind the shrine. Because it was late, we didn't go to see it. Next time, we will come earlier!

One of the three major cat legends in Japan, the "Osomatsu Daigongen Shrine" was built to thank the "three-haired cat" for its owner's justice and successful revenge. From the entrance, it is obvious that there is a big lucky cat. Walk up to the shrine following the cat’s footprints. There are more than 10,000 lucky cats living in the shrine, and every scene has a cat theme, which shows the gratitude and longing for the "three-haired cat". It takes about 30 minutes to reach the shrine by taking a bus from JR Anan Station. Many people come to visit the shrine every year, especially because "the pine will win, the business will prosper, and the test will pass." This shrine is famous for its strange cat legend, and its popular name is "Cat God". Various cat statues can be seen in the shrine, and more than 10,000 lucky cats are enshrined. It is said to be very effective in praying for success in exams and competitions. Address: No. 63, Kamo Town, Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture Opening hours: nothing special Admission fee: Free Restroom: Yes Parking lot: 2-3 parking spaces Transportation: From JR Anan Station, take bus "202 Kamodani Line and Tsubaki Tomari Line" for about 30 minutes, get off at "Kamodani Station" and walk for 1 minute. Nearby: It is recommended to go south to JR Hiwasa Station "Yakuoji" and "Sea Turtle Museum", JR Awa Kainan Station "DMV Railroad Second-hand Car" #globaltravel

The shrine located in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, the "Osatsu Daigengen Shrine" enshrines more than 10,000 lucky cats. Such a magnificent sight, be sure to visit it📸📸! This shrine originated from the legend of the Japanese strange cat and is famous far and wide, and is a shrine built to commemorate the successful revenge of (the cat god) to commemorate the success of its owner, Justice Shinjo 😺! From the entrance to the shrine is covered with all kinds of lucky cats, it is said that this place is very effective for praying for pine winning, business prosperity, and passing the test! Address: 63 Fuji, Kamocho, Anan, Tokushima Prefecture Tickets/Parking: Free Recommended reservation time: 1 hour Access: About 30 minutes by bus from JR Anan Station #playful traveler #relaxation #like