This temple, originally called the “Jakuseiji Temple,” was built by a monk, with financial support from the father of Matsudaira Chikauji’s wife, in 1367. Matsudaira Chikauji was the father of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Matsudaira family, the ancestors of the Tokugawa family, were “dogos.” A “dogo” is a lord of a small, rural domain in feudal Japan. The Matsudaira family was made up of dogos and they controlled the entire area of Matsudaira (now the city of Toyota in the Aichi prefecture).

The beginning of the family name of Matsudaira dates back about 600 years ago. A monk (who later became the first person of the Matsudaira family) was traveling Japan when he arrived in the town of Matsudaira. The monk got married here and begun introducing himself as Matsudaira.

According to records, the Jakuseiji Temple changed its name to the “Kogetsuin Temple” in 1377, at the same time that Matsudaira Chikauji donated the temple’s buildings. Later on, Tokugawa Ieyasu also donated more to the temple and continued to support the temple throughout his life. In addition, the Tokugawa dynasty supported this temple from generation to generation going forward. The current sanmon (entrance gate) and hondo (main building of temple) were built by Tokugawa Ieyasu and several of the buildings still exist as designated cultural properties.

Adress:Samugairi44,Matsudairacho,Toyota-shi,Aichi