Tokoname City is home to Chubu Centrair International Airport, to which you can fly directly from Narita Airport. Tokoname City is known as Japan's largest producer of manekineko, and "Tokoname Manekineko Street," synonymous with the city, is lined with numerous cat sculptures.

Particularly noteworthy on this street is Tokonyan, a giant guardian manekineko that unexpectedly peeks out from the top of the wall. At 3.8 meters high and 6.3 meters wide, its overwhelming presence draws the gaze of passersby. There are also 11 lifelike cat statues in the vicinity of Tokonyan.

Tokonyan on Tokoname Manekineko Street.

Walking down the street, 39 “Goriyaku Ceramic Manekineko,” created by local ceramic artists, greet visitors. The manekineko lined up along the concrete wall, and each one carries its own blessing, such as traffic safety, prayers for beauty, and abstinence from alcohol.

39 “Goriyaku Ceramic Manekineko,” created by local ceramic artists, are on display.

Each manekineko is said to contain a blessing.

AEON MALL Tokoname, a 20-minute walk from Tokoname Manekineko Street, is also known as a manekineko destination.

There you will find a giant manekineko named Otafuku, one of the largest in the world standing 6.5 meters high. The name means "invites many blessings," and it has become a popular photo spot.

Manekineko can also be seen all over the city. You can purchase manekineko of various sizes and designs at pottery shops and galleries, so you can find one to suit your tastes.

A manekineko in the shape of a postman.

Incidentally, manekineko, a Japanese good-luck charm, is said to invite money if its right hand is raised, and people if its left hand is raised. Which hand do the manekineko you see in Tokoname City raise?

A manekineko sits alongside a fried shrimp on top of the building.

A manekineko holding a small gold coin with the word "Kabuki" written on it.

Tokoname Station, the closest station to Tokoname Manekineko Street, is only two stops away from Chubu Centrair International Airport Station, making it easily accessible from the airport. When visiting Japan, why not visit Tokoname and enjoy meeting its luck-bringing manekineko.

■DATA ▼Tokonyan, a guardian cat (Tokoname Manekineko Street) Location: Sakae-cho, Tokoname-shi, Aichi Access: 5 min. walk from Tokoname Station on the Meitetsu Tokoname Line ▼Otafuku Location: 2-20-3 Rinku-cho, Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture (in AEON MALL Tokoname) Access: 15 min. walk from Tokoname Station on the Meitetsu Tokoname Line A short walk from Rinku Tokoname Station on the Meitetsu Airport Line (Information as of October 2024)

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