The temple is said to have began as Kanshinzan Shinzan-ji Temple that was founded during the Nara period by Hosso Sect monk Gien before being revived by Ryoben during the Tenpyo era (729-748).
奈良時代、法相宗の僧義淵により創建された観心山親山寺が始まりと伝えられ、天平年間（729年～748年）良弁が中興したという。