お松大権現

Anan City, Tokushima

Omatsu Daigongen Shrine

お松大権現

"Nekogami-san" Shrine Honored by Local Tradition

"Omatsu Daigongen" in Anan, Tokushima, is a shrine affectionately known as "Nekogami-san," or the cat deity. Its origins are said to trace back to the Edo period, when villagers, moved by the fate of Omatsu, who lost her life after opposing an unjust ruling, secretly enshrined her as "Giri Daigongen." Public worship began in the Meiji period, and the shrine was renamed to its current name in the early Showa period. The legend of Omatsu's beloved cat avenging its master's death has been passed down through generations, becoming known as one of Japan's three famous supernatural cat legends. Today, the shrine continues to draw worshippers praying for success in contests and victory in entrance exams and elections. The grounds also include a gallery dedicated to preserving the legend and a souvenir area.

Based on a real petition case, the tale of O-matsu’s beloved cat avenging the wrongs done to her has become a famous supernatural-cat legend known across Japan.
Worshippers borrow one beckoning cat figure to make a wish and offer two when it is granted. Around 10,000 figures now fill the grounds.
The grounds feature a giant "Cat Buddha," the disaster-averting "Cat Fudō Myōō," and cat-shaped roof tiles, making the site a destination for cat lovers.

"Legendary Gallery" Sharing the Shrine's Stories

Masayuki Miyata’s delicate paper-cutting art recreates the legend of Omatsu and her beloved cat, tracing the story from tragedy to revenge. An adjoining souvenir corner offers cat-themed gifts and amulets.
A Stunning Sight of 10,000 Maneki-Neko Figures

The grounds, watched over by a "cat roof tile," are packed with around 10,000 beckoning cats. Male figures raise the right paw for wealth and happiness, females the left to welcome customers, while resident cat "Fuku-chan" draws many fans.

Shichi-go-san (Children’s Ceremony)
Miyamairi (Newborn Blessing)
Matchmaking
Cutting Ties
Financial Luck
Business Prosperity
Yakuyoke (Purification)
Health & Well-being
Safe Childbirth
Exam Success
Traffic Safety
Fertility
Performing Arts
Love Fulfillment
Bountiful Harvest
Family Safety
Academic Success
Recovery from Illness

Tracing the past

Origins & Heritage

A Shrine Originating from a Renowned Japanese Tale

The legend traces its origins to a tragedy said to have occurred in Awa Province during the Edo period. Between 1681 and 1688, a village headman borrowed money from a wealthy man to save his village. Although he repaid the debt, he was falsely accused and died of illness in despair. The land was also taken from his wife, Omatsu. She appealed to the magistrate’s office, but the magistrate, bribed by the wealthy man, issued an unjust ruling. As a last resort, she appealed directly to the domain lord and was executed. Upon Omatsu’s death, her beloved cat, "Mike," took on her unresolved grievance and transformed into a supernatural cat. It appeared before the families of the corrupt wealthy man and the magistrate, causing a series of supernatural disturbances that ultimately destroyed both families. Villagers who mourned Omatsu secretly memorialized her as "Giri Daigongen." From the Meiji period onward, she was openly enshrined as "Omatsu Daigongen." Still affectionately called "Nekogami-san," she draws devoted worshippers from across Japan.

Main hall

Main Shrine Hall Filled with 10,000 Maneki-Neko Figures

Cat-shaped roof tiles believed to ward off evil watch over the grounds from all four sides of the roof above the main sanctuary and worship hall. The cut-paper-style decorations around the worship hall, inspired by the supernatural cat legend, are equally striking; behind the building is a bristling cat poised to avenge Omatsu’s lingering grievance. Other distinctive features reflect strong Shinto-Buddhist syncretism, including an incense burner before the worship hall and the continuing custom of offering incense for the dead, while "guardian cats" protect the sacred precincts in place of the guardian dogs found at most shrines. The grounds are filled with cat statues of many kinds, from some 10,000 dedicated maneki-neko figurines to the illness-healing "Byoma Taisan Sasuri Neko," the nearly two-meter-tall "Jumbo Maneki-neko," and the dignified "Cat Fudo Myoo" and "Cat Buddha." Drawing on the legend of defeating wrongdoers, the shrine is affectionately worshipped as "Nekogami-san," believed to bring success in competitions, lawsuits, and entrance examinations; during exam season, numerous ema plaques are hung with prayers for victory.

Seasonal beauty within the shrine's grounds and nature

Spring Path Painted

with Cats and Cherry Blossoms

Sunlit Grounds

with Cats in Deep Green Scenery

A Seasonal Art Space

of Cats and Autumn Leaves

Winter Shrine Prayers

for Success and Victory

Omatsu Daigongen Shrine

お松大権現

Address: 63 Fuke, Kamo Town, Anan City, Tokushima
Access: Car: 50 minutes from Tokushima Expressway Tokushima IC; Bus: 2-minute walk from "Kamodani" bus stop after taking the Tokushima Bus Kamodani Line bound for Kamodani from Anan Station on the JR Mugi Line
Website: https://www.nekogami.jp/
TEL: +81-884-25-0556Please inform the staff that you found us through "Tabiiro."
FAX: +81-884-35-1088
Business hours: 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Holidays: Open daily
Admission fee: Goshuin stamp: 500 yen *Please contact the facility for other details
Parking spaces: 20 spaces