The Hojoe at the shrine dates from roughly the same period when the Hachimanshin was transferred from Usa-jingu Shrine, and became an event attended by an imperial envoy in 948 as well as being one of the most important annual festivals in Kyoto.
宇佐神宮より八幡神を勧請したのとほぼ同時期に放生会も伝わり、948年（天暦2年）には勅祭として執り行われるようになるなど、京都の年中行事の中でも重要な祭の1つであった。