Setagaya area became the domain of the Hikone clan in 1633, the Ii clan assigned “Kotokuin” built in 1480 as a Bodaiji *1 in Edo (the name of the time for Tokyo).

In 1659, “Kotokuin” is renamed in honor of the second lord, Naotaka Ii, “Kyushoin-den-Gotoku-Tenei-Daikoji”. Since the buildings are sculpted for an appropriate feudal lord's cemeteries to today's appearance.

Gotokuji preserves well the style of typical feudal lord cemetery of Edo era, which marks one of the largest national historical sites in the area.

*1: Bodaiji is a temple which, generation after generation, takes care of a family's dead, giving them burial and performing ceremonies in their soul's favor.

One day, a lord on his way back from falconry was beckoned by a cat at the temple gate and decided to stop by.

While spending time at the temple, thunder suddenly rang out and rain began to fall. Having got well out of a thundershower with an enjoyable conversation with the temple master, the lord was impressed by this luck that the cat brought.

The lord was Naotaka Ii, the lord of Hikone domain.

Financially backed up by Naotaka, Gotokuji temple was rebuilt in 1633.