It is said that the shrine was established in 794 (Enryaku 13), when the capital was relocated to Heian (794-1192), and the three deities enshrined in various places in Yamato, including the deity Imaki, were relocated to this location. Later, Himegami was enshrined together, and the number of deities became four. For approximately 1,200 years since its relocation, the shrine has been revered as a shrine for the protection of the Imperial Castle and as a clan deity of the Minamoto and Taira clans. The present main shrine was built in the early Edo period in the "Hirano-zukuri" style, and is a national important cultural property. In the late Heian period (794-1185), the shrine was known as a cherry blossom viewing spot, and after the Edo period (1603-1867), when night cherry blossom viewing was opened to the general public, it came to be known as "Hirano no Yozakura" (Hirano cherry blossoms at night).