Its origins date back to 787, when Emperor Kanmu established a suburban altar here, south of Nagaokakyo, to worship his father, Emperor Konin. This is said to have been modeled after the Chinese emperors who established a temple south of their capitals every winter solstice to worship the Heavenly Emperor. The main hall is a one-bay, Nagare-zukuri style building, restored in 1238 (Katei 4) during the Kamakura period and in 1401 (Oei 8) during the Muromachi period. The exterior retains the Kamakura period style, with delicate and beautiful carvings such as frog legs. Both the main hall and the main hall of the neighboring subordinate shrine, Hachiman Shrine, are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Behind the worship hall of Katano Tenjin Shrine, up a flight of stone steps, is Kifune Shrine, a subordinate shrine said to be the site of Kuzuha Palace, established by Emperor Keitai in the 6th century.