Eisan-ji Temple was previously known as Sakiyama-dera Temple, which is said to have been erected by Muchimaro, FUJIWARA no Huhito's eldest son, in 719.
栄山寺は古くは前山寺（さきやまでら）と呼ばれ、藤原不比等の長子である武智麻呂が養老3年（719年）に創建したと伝わる。