It is said that his cousin Emperor Kanmu was a boon companion and he was appointed as the emissary for Kamo-jinja Shrine and Ise-jingu Shrine in the transfer of national capital to the city of Heian-kyo.
従兄弟にあたる桓武天皇とは酒飲み仲間であったと伝えられ、平安京遷都の際に賀茂大神と伊勢神宮への使者にも任じられている。