Its official name is Jodo-shu Daiusan Dojoin Zenkoji Temple.
It is said to have been founded in 826 when Ennin (Jikaku Daishi), a monk of the Tendai school from Mt. Hiei, carved a wooden statue of Amitabha Tathagata who appeared on the summit of Mt. Usu, and built a small hall to enshrine it.
In 1613, Matsumae Yoshihiro, the lord of the Matsumae domain, rebuilt the dilapidated Nyorai-do hall, establishing it as the Usu Zenkoji Nyorai-do.
In 1804, it was designated as one of the Ezo Sankanji (Three Official Temples of Ezo) by the Edo Shogunate, along with Toju-in Temple in Samani Town and Kokutai-ji Temple in Akkeshi Town.

Although it has been damaged by repeated eruptions of Mt. Usu, it has been restored and retains its original atmosphere.
In 1974, the entire temple grounds were designated as a National Historic Site.
Furthermore, the numerous treasures passed down in the temple have been designated as Important Cultural Properties under the name 'Materials Related to the Ezo Sankanji Zenkoji Temple,' and are stored and exhibited in the treasure museum.

Usu Zenkoji Temple faces the scenic Usu Bay, which is compared to Matsushima, one of the Three Views of Japan. It is also famous as a flower viewing spot in Date City because various trees and flowers that color the four seasons, such as cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and ginkgo trees, are planted on its grounds.
There are several large cherry trees on the grounds that are over 200 years old, the most famous of which is the Ishiwari-zakura (stone-splitting cherry tree), which grew while splitting a large rock.
This cherry tree, which stands quietly in the innermost part of the grounds, still blooms in the spring.

In addition, many large weeping cherry trees and double-flowered cherry trees have been planted, making Usu Zenkoji Temple famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot.
During the cherry blossom viewing season, the grounds are bustling with tourists from various regions who arrive by tour bus.
It is also known as a famous spot for hydrangeas, and with many flowers and trees for spring, summer, and autumn, it is a place where one can feel the breath of nature throughout the four seasons.