Myoho-in Temple is one of a special class of temples known as 'Monzeki' which were traditionally served by successive head priests from the Imperial family and nobility, but is also distinguished as one of the "Three Tendai Monzeki" along with Shoren-in Temple and Sanzen-in Temple (Kajii Monzeki).
皇族・貴族の子弟が歴代住持となる別格の寺院を指して「門跡」と称するが、妙法院は青蓮院、三千院（梶井門跡）とともに「天台三門跡」と並び称されてきた名門寺院である。