According to temple legend, it was founded by Prince Shotoku and called Chinzan-ji Temple, and later between 810 and 824 was resided in by Kukai who named it Josen-ji Temple.
寺伝によれば、聖徳太子が開創して椿山寺と号し、その後弘仁年間（810年～824年）空海が入り常泉寺と称したという。