According to temple tradition, it was founded in 860 AD by the priest Ennin, who is better known by his posthumous name, Jikaku Daishi (慈覺大師).

Although Enning died on Mount Hiei in 864 AD, and there is no record that his remains were transferred here, Ann archaeological investigation in 1948 found a gold-leaf encrusted casket containing five sets of human remains and fragments of a Heian period wooden statue of Ennin within the cave.

The temple developed into the major Heian period center for Buddhism in Dewa Province (now Yamagata and Akita prefectures).

The current Main Hall, known here as the Konpon-chūdō was rebuilt in 1356 by Shiba Kaneyori, lord of Yamagata Castle, who also returned it to the Tendai sect.

[5] JR East – Senzan Line Media related to Risshaku-ji at Wikimedia Commons