It is said that Hōsen-ji Temple was founded in during the Kanji era (1087-1094) by Minamoto no Yoshiie in Asagaya. It was moved to its present location during the Muromachi period, and it came to be loved by the people in Edo for its three-storied pagoda that was built in the beginning of the Edo period. It was also a rest station used by successive shoguns while engaging in falcony. This is also famous for possessing the bones of a male elephant which came to Edo in May 1728 (the thirteenth year of Kyōhō).