This Shingon Buddhist temple is believed to have been founded by Soga no Umako in 595, and later restored by the bodhisattva Kobo Daishi. It incorporates the Ryusenji Gardens, an area centered on a pond and designated a National Site of Outstanding Beauty. Tales of the temple state that Soga no Umako prayed for help against an evil dragon that troubled the people of the area. The dragon could not overcome the power of the Buddha's teachings, and flew away. However, the region's waters dried up afterwards, leaving both the temple and nearby town in decline. Then, Kobo Daishi prayed at the site once more, and the dragon returned along with an end to the drought. Altars to Shoten, Benzaiten, and Dakiniten are revered as guardian deities on the three islands in the garden pond, while Gozu Tenno is revered as an earth deity. The expansive pool is also beautiful thanks to blooming sweet flag, water lilies, and sacred lotus. The Nio-mon guardian gate at the temple was erected in 1275, and is a nationally-designated Important Cultural Property.