The date of its founding is unknown. Originally, it was enshrined to the east of the Shimo-Kanda abyss, facing the local deity on Shimazume, formerly Shinomiya Murakami (present-day Kadoma City), across the river. During the Shimazume festival, gohei offerings were received from the Kanda shrine, and then returned to the shrine after the festival. In 1659, it was enshrined in its current location. Legend has it that if sacred sake is offered to Michizane Sugawara, whose statue is in the shrine's possession, his face will turn red when it is celebrated at the annual festival. Within the shrine grounds stands a large camphor tree that is over 800 years old, with a trunk circumference of 10m and a height of approximately 30m.