The temple was founded in
Iwatsuki, Saitama, in 1375 by Sekishitsu Zenkyū, who had served as the Abbot of
Engaku-ji,
Tenryū-ji and
Shōfuku-ji. During this period the original temple was destroyed in 1590 during an attack on
Iwatsuki Castle by
Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It was rebuilt in 1603 by
Tokugawa Ieyasu and moved to Niiza city sixty years later. The temple grounds are situated in a
forested area and is considered to be a national monument. Heirin-ji differs from other temples in the Tokyo area by having no temple markets nor public festivals held at the temple. The temple remains a training temple for monks, who can often be seen working in the grounds. The grounds of the temple preserve a stretch of the
Musashino woodlands. Animals such as
raccoon dogs that are now not often seen in the city are found around the temple. The grounds also provide a roost for a large number of
Japanese crows. The gardens are notable for the
maple trees in autumn and the
ume blossoms in early spring. The bell, with the
ume blossom, was the inspiration for one of
Toshi Yoshida's wood block prints. ==Gallery==