The site of Shinsen-en Temple was originally a kin-en garden that was created adjoining the south of the Imperial Palace at approximately the same time as the relocation of the capital city to Heian-kyo in the year 794.
延暦13年（794年）の平安京遷都とほぼ同時期に、当時の大内裏の南に接する地に造営された禁苑であった。