The hondō is considered a National Treasure and is constructed without the use of a single cleat of nail. Legend states that it was built in a single night. This temple has had the patronage of emperors since the time of Emperor Shōmu (r. 725-749)

In the compound is the Hyakudo Ishi (One hundred times stone). It is a large boulder with a hundred pieces of bamboo in a ring on its top. You take a piece of bamboo, walk with it to the hondō, and then return to the stone, praying continuously as you walk back and forth. After one hundred repetitions, the prayer is sure to be granted. This practice isn't limited to this temple, however. At numerous temples you will see henro pacing back and forth between the hondō and the daishidō while earnestly praying. At this temple they simply have the bamboo to help them keep track of their counting.

Whereas many temples have special fertility rites for those that want to become pregnant, henro come to this temple, pray, and leave needles if they don't want to have any more children. And, from this tradition, another interesting tradition has sprung up. Women who do want more children can now come to this temple and pick up those same needles that have been left and this, conversely, will help them have the children they want. And, to take the tradition one step further, some people believe that for those desiring to have a child, wearing underwear sewn with these needles will be particularly effective.

Frederick Starr says that there are 6 Kannon statues here which were given to the temple as gifts by six emperors. He also notes that each has been classified as a National Treasure.