I’ve been meaning to visit the lucky cats at Gōtokuji Temple for the longest time, but this one happened through pure serendipity—which feels only fitting. I found myself in a neighborhood I rarely visit, running a quick errand, and on a whim checked Google Maps to see where I was. Turns out, I was just eight minutes away from the cats. In peak sakura season, no less. The walk there was lined with blooming cherry blossom trees, and when I arrived, some of the cats seemed to be huddled among fallen pink petals—like they had been waiting for this exact moment.

ずっと会いに行きたいと思っていた豪徳寺の招き猫たち。今回は、偶然にその近所で用事を足してた時ふとGoogleマップを開いてみたら、なんと猫たちまで8分の所にいました。しかも桜がちょうど見頃。そこまでの道のりは満開の桜があって、たどり着くと、いくつかの招き猫たちが散った花びらの中にちょこんと集まっていて…まるでこの瞬間を待っていたみたいでした。かわいいね〜また遊びに来るね。