After becoming embroiled in a conflict with FUJIWARA no Nakamaro, the Emperor Junnin (dethroned in Awaji Province) was exiled to Awaji Province where he died, but in 1873 his spirit was returned to Kyoto and enshrined along with the Emperor Sutoku and the shrine was classified as a Kanpei Chusha (middle-scale government shrines).
明治6年（1873年）、藤原仲麻呂の乱に巻き込まれて淡路国に配流されてそこで亡くなった淳仁天皇（淡路廃帝）の神霊を淡路から迎えて合祀し、官幣中社とした。