Since the Edo period, the temple has been famous as a place of Kannon pilgrimage and it is recorded in "Miyako Meisho zue" published in 1780 that 'Joko-ji Temple is located in Kujo Karasuma and its principal image statue of Kannon was created by Giko Daishi.'
江戸時代から観音霊場として有名で、安永9年(1780年)発行の『都名所図会』には「成興寺は九条烏丸にあり、本尊観音は慈光大師の作なり」という記載がある。