The location of Hoko-ji Temple's founding is not known for sure but archaeological excavation of the first 7th century artifacts in the remains of Kitano Temple in Kitano, Kita Ward, Kyoto City have given rise to a likely theory that it was moved to its current location (or merged with another temple) in Uzumasa at the same time as the relocation of the capital to Heiankyo.
蜂岡寺の創建当初の所在地については、確証はないものの、7世紀前半の遺物を出土する京都市北区北野の北野廃寺跡がそれであり、平安京遷都と同時期に現在地の太秦へ移転（ないし2寺が合併）したとする説が有力である。