This is a Jōdo sect temple said to have been granted its mountain name and priestly robes by Emperor Go-Mizunoo in 1533 (the 2nd year of the Tenbun era).
Within the temple grounds is the famous 'Kechimyaku-zakura' (Bloodline Cherry Tree), a Naden cherry tree with a legend about the spirit of a cherry tree.
It is an ancient tree estimated to be over 300 years old and is the parent tree of the 'Naden' cherry blossom variety, which is representative of Matsumae.