Tucked away in the mountains, far from the bustle of the city and surrounded by nature, stands an old folk house known as the “Maneki-neko Museum.”
Inside the attic of this nearly 100-year-old building, visitors will find an impressive collection of maneki-neko, including wooden carvings, stone statues, and ceramic figures. These lucky cats were gathered from across Japan and around the world by the museum’s first director, who wished to provide a new home for the many maneki-neko that had long brought good fortune to people.
At the annex facility, “LUCKY CATS HOUSE,” visitors can enjoy the popular “painting workshop,” which requires no reservation. Participants can paint their own designs onto pure white, unglazed maneki-neko to create a one-of-a-kind original lucky cat.
The activity takes about one hour, and another appealing feature is that visitors can take their finished creation home the very same day.
According to tradition, a maneki-neko raising its right paw is said to invite wealth, while one raising its left paw is believed to attract customers. The meaning also changes depending on the color: white symbolizes “good fortune,” while green represents “success in studies.”
The museum also features the Yamaneko Library, which houses a collection of cat-themed picture books ranging from nostalgic classics to recent publications, along with contemporary cat artwork. Visitors may discover that the museum offers more than just “good luck.”
Incidentally, maneki-neko are associated with several production regions throughout Japan, with Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture known as the country’s leading producer. September 29 is celebrated as “Maneki-neko Day.”