The shrine was built by Emperor Meiji in 1868 to comfort the spirit of Emperor Sutoku. The shrine is highly dignified because of Emperor Sutoku, who is said to have the strongest grudge against the shrine, and in 1940, the shrine received the title of "Jingu" (Shrine). Since the shrine was built on the site of the Asukai family's mansion, Seidai Myojin, the patron god of kemari, is enshrined as a regent shrine, and is now widely worshipped as the god of soccer, rugby, and other ball games.
The shrine is known for its yellow-green "ukon" cherry blossoms, which turn from yellow-green to light red as they bloom, but remain greenish until the end.