The second daimyō of Kaga Domain, Maeda Toshinaga (1562–1614) after retiring to Takaoka, had a temple, Hōen-ji (法円寺) built, which was completed in 1613.

His younger brother, Maeda Toshitsune, and third daimyō of Kaga, in commemoration of Toshinaga, had the temple expanded starting in 1645.

The temple complex at the time covered an area of 118,800 m2 (1,279,000 sq ft) and — similar to a castle — was surrounded by two moats.

Close to the entrance on the eastern side of the complex, the following buildings have been renovated recently: the bathhouse (浴室, yokushitsu) (Y) and the toilet (七間浄頭, shichiken chinjū) (N).

The sōmon, the meditation hall, the large tea house and the corridors have been designated as Important Cultural Property.