The Zenkoji Temple was built before Buddhism split into various schools and presently belongs to the Tendai and Jodoshu schools of Buddhism. According to legend, the image caused a dispute between the two clans and was, therefore, thrown into a canal.

The image was later rescued by Yoshimitsu Honda and the temple was named Zenko, the Chinese transliteration of Yoshimitsu’s name.

The main image at the temple is that of a hidden Buddha and is not shown to the public and nor the priests. This is one of the commandments of the temple: to keep the statue in absolute secrecy.

A replica of the statue is revealed to the public every seven years for a few days. A recent display of the statue was in 2010.

The temple has an inner chamber that is open to visitors. This chamber has a narrow staircase that leads to a dark corridor where worshippers try to touch the metal keys hanging on the wall to gain enlightenment.

Inside the compound, which is arranged in a linear manner, is the Kyozo which is said to store the Buddhist sutras.