This temple is the head temple of the Shokokuji school of the Rinzai Zen sect of Buddhism.
It was completed in 1392 at the request of the 3rd shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu of the Muromachi period.
The temple had a central role in administration of the Zen sect.
Kinkakuji is the sub-temple of Shokokuji temple, and Ginkakuji is also the sub-temple of this temple.