Cat Tram　世田谷線猫電車

Cat Tram: The tram painting a cat that brings a happiness.

(L) A cat-tram is parking at Shimotakaido station
(R) A display describing the Tanaden-110 year anniversary on the side of the tram.

A cat-tram is welcoming a tourist on the side of the body and at the hanging in the tram.

(L) A boarding fee is 150 yen ( flat rate ): A train driver and conductor check a ticket or IC card.
(M) A great ticket costs 330 yen, valid throughout the day.(R) Footprints of cat

(L) Tram driver (R) Railroadside walk map

(L) A cat-tram is on a platform (M) A cat-tram is running lightly on railroad track
(R) A tram in yellow color is in the train garage in Kamimachi Station.

(L) Train garage is located at Kamimachi Station. (R) A cat-tram stopped at Wakabayashi station.

There are regular tram cars with blue, brown and light-green colored vehicles.

Sangnchaya terminal station

A cat-tram is leaving Sangenchaya station for Shimotakaido.

(L)(R) A cat-tram traveling or stopping at a station (M) woman conductor.

　Tokya Setagaya Line

Tokyu unveils new tram with beckoning cat livery to mark 110th anniversary of Tamagawa Line.

「玉電110周年幸運の招き猫」電車

In October 2017, Tokyu Corporation unveiled a new tram painted with 'manekineko', beckoning cat livery to
commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Tamagawa Line and promote the use of Setagaya Line to tourists.
Upon its completion in March 1907, the Tamagawa Line connected Dogenzakaue and Sangenjaya stations.
However, that line has been closed.

In 1969, it now operates as the Setagaya Line, linking Sangenjaya and Shimotakaido stations in Setagaya
district. The best way to commemorate the anniversary and further boost the popularity of the railway, we
came up toan idea of collaborating with Gotokuji Temple because the temple is known worldwide for
(enshrining) a beckoning cat. A spokesperson said so at a media preview in the train-storage facility in
Kamimachi Station. The Setagaya Line, which runs across Setagaya district, is one of the few light-rail tram
lines still operating in Tokyo.

Many historic sites such as Gotokuji Temple, Shoin Shrine and Setagaya Hachimangu Shrine, are highly
recommended to tourists. The company plans to keep the newly decorated two-car tram in service, however,
until the end of March 2018.
Source: The Japan Times, September 25, 2017

東急世田谷線の前身で、「玉電」の名で親しまれた玉川線（1969年廃止）が、1907年の渋谷～玉川駅間の開通から
110周年を迎えたことを記念して、玉電開通１１０周年記念イベントとして「幸運の招き猫」電車を実施した。

　Kofuku-no-Manekineko tram departures from Sangenjaya Station

Gotokuji Temple　豪徳寺

At the beginning of Edo period, there was a rundown temple in Setagaya. One day, a Japanese lord named
NaotakaIt was getting home from hunting hawk. He was walking in front of the temple when he noticed a white
cat beckoning to him from inside the temple. Tempted by the cat's gesture, he followed the cat. As soon as
he approached the cat, there was a sudden heavy rainfall and the place he stood before was struck by lighting.
His life was saved by the white cat. The cat's name was Tama, and Tama was the temple priest's cat.

(L) An approach to Gotokuji temple (R) A three-storied pagoda

(L) A wild parakeet was observed on a tree. (M) Plum blossoms telling the coming of spring (R) Incense burner 香炉

Large numbers of beckoning cat

(L) 佛世式 (M) Raisinng cat's right hand and call happiness. (R) Red plum blossoms

Gotokuji Temple

Shouin-jinjya Shrine　松陰神社　

Shouin-jinjya Shrine is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirit of Yoshida Shouin, an activist during
the Edo era. The shrine was erected in 1882, and the current main shrine building was built in 1927. It is located
in setagaya. The nearest station is Shouin-jinjya-mae, Tokyu-Setagaya Line.

Approach to Haiden of Shouin Jinjya

(L)Temizusha 手水舎 (M) Haiden of Shouin Jinjya (R) A stature of Souin Yoshida

Setagaya-Hachimangu Shrine　世田谷八幡宮　

The Setagaya-Hachimangu is also famous for a lifting stone and a sumo ring.
It is located in setagaya. The nearest station is Miyanosaka, Tokyu-Setagaya Line.

(L) Nino-Torii to Setagaya-Hachimangu (M)Temizusha (R) Haiden of Shouin Jinjya

動物写真家岩合光明　写真は書籍「ねこの京都」

Yasukuni Shrine
Tokyo Metropolis Mini-tour

招き猫電車で訪れる世田谷の寺と神社
執筆　医学博士宮本順伯
★This Web site is link-free.
This information was provided by the Smokefree Hotel and Travel.
The article was written, and photographs were taken in March 2018,
by Junhaku Miyamoto, M.D., PhD.
Copyright (C) 2018 Junhaku Miyamoto, PhD. All right is reserved.