The 15th sacred site of the Saigoku Sanjusan-sho pilgrimage, a Shingon Sennyuji-ha temple founded by Kobo Daishi in 811.

From the mid-Heian period onward, Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa (1127–1192) is said to have suffered from chronic headaches and visited Imakumano Kannonji to pray to the Juichimen Kannon for relief. When his prayers were answered and his headaches were cured, the Kannon became known as the 'Head Kannon' (Atama no Kannon-san), gathering deep faith from people seeking relief from headaches and blessings of wisdom. Go-Shirakawa, known as 'the greatest tengu in the realm' for his mastery of political manipulation — playing Kiyomori, Yoshitomo, and Yoritomo against one another — was also a very human figure with a recurring ailment. His prayers to this Kannon became the origin story of the temple's spiritual reputation.