The Honganji Sakai Betsuin Temple was originally built by Yoshiuji Ashikaga (1189-1254), the fourth son of Yoshiuji Ashikaga, who was a follower of Kakunyo, the third abbot of Honganji. In 1476, the fifth abbot, Doken, invited Rennyo, the eighth abbot of Honganji, to build the "Shinshoin" temple. The current main hall was rebuilt in 1825 and is the largest wooden building still standing in Sakai City. Following the abolition of feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures, the main hall and grounds served as the Sakai Prefectural Office from 1871-1881. As a result, the Betsuin Temple, known as the "Sakai Prefectural Office Site," has been designated a historic site by Osaka Prefecture. Within the temple grounds, there is a monument to Sakai-born poet Yosano Akiko, as well as a giant ginkgo tree measuring 20 meters tall and 3.65 meters in circumference, which seems to bear witness to the temple's history.