This ancient Shingon Buddhist temple was founded by Soga no Umako in the second year of the reign of Empress Suiko (595) and resurrected by Kobo Daishi. To the west of the main hall is the Ryusenji Garden, a Kamakura-period strolling garden with a pond. It has been designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty. According to temple legend, an evil dragon living in the area was harming the villagers, so Umako performed a ritual. The dragon succumbed to the power of Buddhism and flew away. However, the water subsequently dried up, and the temple and village fell into decline. In 823, Kobo Daishi performed a ritual, and the dragon returned, bringing abundant water. It is said that the temple then enshrined the gods Shoten, Benzaiten, and Shiten on three islands in the pond, with Gozu Tenno as the guardian deity. The vast pond is also beautiful, with water lilies, irises, lotus flowers, and other flowers blooming. The Niomon Gate, built in 1275, is a National Important Cultural Property.