The junior high school that Takaki attends in Tokyo is near the Gotokuji Station on the Odakyu Line. A ten-minute walk away from the station is the Gotokuji Temple (as pictured), a Bodhi temple of historic value built by Ii Naotaka, Lord of Hikone, for his family. The temple is also known in Japanese history as the final resting place of Ii Naosuke, who was assassinated in the famous Sakuradamon Incident. In addition, it is said that the temple is the origin of the maneki neko (beckoning cat) figurine. In the "Shoufukuden" that worships the Shoufuku Kannon deity for prosperity is an impressive arrangement of an overwhelming number of maneki neko figurines.