Rozan-ji Temple was founded in Kitayama of Kyoto in the year 938 by Ryogen (also known Gensan Daishi, Jikei Daishi), the Buddhist monk responsible for the restoration of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei.
比叡山延暦寺の中興の祖である良源（元三大師、慈恵大師）により天慶元年（938年）に京都の北山に創建。