23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
beckoning cat figurines at the Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, Japan

This temple is filled with thousands of beckoning (lucky) cat figurines left by people seeking good fortune. Most of the figurines were crowded together on tables and shelves, some shining brand new while others had gathered dust. The cat figures also came in many different sizes, a few of which I captured in this photo. However, all of the cats had the same identical beckoning gesture.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 12.2025
Photo Location: Tokyo, Japan
Camera: NIKON D40X
Copyright: © Sydne Aguilar