The temple is reputed to have been established during the Heian period as the sub-temple for retirement of the Tendai Sect Hanju-in Temple in modern-day Hanjuinmae-cho, Imadegawa Street Senbon Higashi-iru, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City.
この寺は、現在京都市上京区今出川通千本東入般舟院前町にある天台宗寺院般舟院の隠居寺として、平安時代に建立されたという。