[1] The temple longer exists, but its ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in 1974.

[2] The Shoku Nihongi records that in 741, as the country recovered from a major smallpox epidemic, Emperor Shōmu ordered that a monastery and nunnery be established in every province, the kokubunji (国分寺).

[3][4] These temples were built to a semi-standardized template, and served both to spread Buddhist orthodoxy to the provinces, and to emphasize the power of the Nara period centralized government under the Ritsuryō system.

Roof tiles have been found at the end of the hill for many years, and fragments of earthen walls and moats remained on the west and north sides of the temple precincts, so it was known that it this was the site of Hōki Kokubun-ji since ancient times.

The style of roof tiles used at time of construction have a unique pattern not found in other temples in the area, The foundation stones for structures such as the South Gate, Main Hall, and Lecture Hall were found in the western part of the temple area, and the remains of a Pagoda near the southeast corner were confirmed.