Originally a branch temple of Kongojū-ji, a temple to the Buddhist deity Myōken founded by the Chiba clan (modern Chiba Shrine), it was converted into a Shinto shrine during the mid-19th century.

The shrine is dedicated to the three deities of creation (造化三神, zōka sanshin) of classical Japanese mythology: Ame-no-Minakanushi, Takamimusubi, and Kamimusubi.

[1] The shrine was originally founded in 1644 (Shōhō 1) by Chiba Sadatane, 33rd head of the Chiba clan, as a Buddhist temple named Hakujasan Shinkō-in Jōin-ji (白蛇山真光院定胤寺).

[1][2][3][4] In 1867 (Keiō 3), the temple became a Shinto shrine dedicated to the gods Ame-no-Minakanushi (a deity in Japanese mythology conflated with Myōken), Takamimusubi, and Kamimusubi and renamed "Towatari Shrine".

[1] In 1990 (Heisei 2), the shrine's honden (dating from 1860) was moved to its present location and a new hei-haiden constructed in front of it.