Gokuraku-ji (Saijō)

According to temple legend, around 680 AD, En no Gyōja retreated to Mount Ryuo, where he could look up at Mount Ishizuchi, purified himself at the Fudogataki waterfall and underwent training days on end. It is said, later on the summit of Mt. Ishizuchi, majestic Amitābha Tathāgata  appeared, flanked by Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva. En no Gyōja prayed the following in their presence, “In the coming age and decline of the Dharma, sentient beings will increasingly lose their spiritual capabilities and many will suffer in the sea of suffering. Please drive away the demons in the hearts of all sentient beings and guide them to the path of enlightenment.” Responding to his prayer, a thunderous sound rattled, and the compassionate forms of the Amitābha Trio transformed into fierce, wrathful appearances known as Ishizuchi Kongō Zaō Dai-gongen, before carving their likeness into wood.

He later founded Tengaji Temple, which had the Amida Triad and three Ishizuchi Gongen statues as its principal image, and the temple flourished from the Heian period to the Muromachi period. However, at the end of the Muromachi period, Tengaji Temple was burned down in 1350 during the wars of the Sengoku period, and the head priest at the time, Gyozen Daitoku, ordered his disciple Yuhoshi to find a place to continue the flame of Tengaji's teachings, before dying. Yuhoshi found a place where he could look up at Mount Ryuo, built a temple, named it Gokurakuji, and protected the flame of the teachings.

Later, the central of the three Ishizuchi Zao Gongen statues that was the principal image of Tengaji, Kongo Zaō Gongen, was excavated from the ruins of Tengaji Temple and enshrined as the principal image of today's Zao-den. Since Gokurakuji was established, two fires destroyed many treasures, but the original images have been preserved, and to this day, goma ceremonies are held daily in front of Ishizuchi Kongo Zaō Gongen in the mornings and evenings. In 2014, the two side statues, Ryuouku Zao Gongen and Muihouku Zao Gongen, which had been lost, were replaced, completing the set. In the Meiji period, the Shinto-Buddhist separation order was enacted, many temples in the area joined larger government friendly sects and abandoned Zao Gongen and Shugendo worship, this temple was not abandoned, and Ishizuchi faith has continued unbroken. Currently, the chief abbot is Kanno Kensho, and the keeper is Kanno Kensei.