The oldest examples of Gorinto are Yukei Gorinto (half way between a Gorinto and a Hoto, a two-storied Buddhist tower) at Chuson-ji Temple Ganjojuin in Hiraizumi-cho, Iwate Prefecture, and the Gorinto (inscribed with the year 1169) at Chuson-ji Temple Shakusonin in the same town.
岩手県平泉町・中尊寺願成就院の有頸五輪塔（宝塔と五輪塔の中間タイプ）や同町・中尊寺釈尊院の五輪塔（「仁安四年（1169）」の紀年銘）などが最古例である。