万福寺, Buddhist temple in Setagaya, Japan
Gotokuji is a Buddhist temple featuring traditional Japanese architecture with a main hall built in 1677. The expansive grounds contain numerous statues, including two Kannon figures displayed in a special memorial hall.
The site was originally founded in 1480 as Kotoku-in and renamed in 1659 to honor Ii Naotaka, the second lord of Hikone Domain. This renaming marked an important connection between the temple and the powerful Ii family.
The temple follows Soto Zen Buddhist practices and served as a burial ground for successive leaders of the Ii clan. Visitors can still experience these spiritual traditions reflected in how the temple is used today.
Monthly memorial ceremonies are held at the temple, with dedicated spaces for remembrance and reflection. Plan to spend time walking through the grounds to fully appreciate the layout and various structures.
Two Kannon statues at the temple bear the names of over 4,600 individuals who took part in wartime operations. These names were permanently inscribed as a lasting memorial to these people.
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