In the Heian period, Kinpusen-ji Temple, for which En no Gyoja (A semi-legendary holy man noted for his practice of mountain asceticism during the second half of the seventh century) is deemed as the founder, was established and Mt. Yoshino became the place for Shugendo (Japanese mountain asceticism-shamanism incorporating Shinto and Buddhist concepts).
平安時代には、役行者が開いたと伝えられる金峯山寺が建立され、吉野山は修験道の地となる。