Deep in the mountains and centered around the peak of Mt. Daigo (this area is called "Upper Daigo"), at first Daigo-ji Temple developed as a sacred site for ascetics, later growing into Daigaran (large monastery), "Lower Daigo", on the broad, flat land at the foot of Mt. Daigo thanks to the overwhelming support of Emperor Daigo, who decided to make it his place for prayer.
醍醐寺は山深い醍醐山頂上一帯を中心に、多くの修験者の霊場として発展した後（この場所を「上醍醐」と呼称する）、醍醐天皇は醍醐寺を自らの祈願寺とすると共に手厚い庇護を掛け、その圧倒的な財力によって醍醐山麓の広大な平地に大伽藍「下醍醐」が発展することになる。