This temple is reported to have originated in Amida-do Hall (a temple hall having an enshrined image of Amitabha), which was built in the Heian period by the retired Emperor Gotoba at Toba-dono Palace, which is also known as the Toba-rikyu (Toba detached palace) in its present location of Nakajima, Fushimi Ward.
この寺は、平安時代後鳥羽上皇が鳥羽殿（鳥羽離宮・現在伏見区中島）に建てた阿弥陀堂に始まると伝えられる。