Jiko-ji is the oldest mountain temple in the Kanto area.  In the Kamakura era, some 800 years ago, the temple had 75 shrines on the mountainside and was the cultural center of the district. Although many of these shrines were lost in wars and fires, many treasures have survived. These include a set of beautifully decorated scrolls of the Hokekyo-Sutra(National Treasure). Another is a highly respected statue of Kannon (Important Cultural Property of Saitama Prefecture).

Jiko-ji is said to have been founded some 1300 years ago by the priest Shaku-Do-Chu. It prospered in the Heian era and was given a nameplate written by Emperor Seiwa to certify the importance of the temple.

In the Kamakura era, Shogun Yoritomo supported the temple. At that time, there were 75 temples on Jiko mountain. The temple then suffered many wars and fires until the Tokugawa Shoguns offered their support again. Since then successive priests have been making great efforts to maintain the temple.

(These treasures are exhibited in the treasure-house "Konren-zo".)