It is one of two shrines claiming the title of ichinomiya of former Bungo Province, the other being the Sasamuta Jinja, also in Ōita.

The shrine's legend, which dates from the Kamakura period states that in the year 827, a monk of Enryaku-ji named Konki worshipped at Usa Hachiman-gū for 1000 days and received an oracle which stated that the kami Hachiman would bless Bungo Province.

A mysterious white banner flew over Kakugo, Ōita and was presented to Emperor Ninmyo, who ordered the governor of Bungo Province to construct this shrine.

The shrine was supported by the Ōtomo clan from the time they entered the province as shugo during the Kamakura period.

In 1912, it was promoted to a National Shrine, 3rd rank (国幣小社, Kokuhei Shosha) .