The shrine is said to have originated with a 'Nonomiya' at which Saio (unmarried female relatives of the emperor who were sent to Ise to serve at Ise-jingu Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century) underwent purification before departing to serve at Ise-jingu Shrine.
伊勢神宮に奉仕する斎王が伊勢に向う前に潔斎をした「野宮」に由来する神社であると伝えられる。