Tenryuji Temple is the head temple of the Tenryuji school of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism.
The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339 to honor the emperor Godaigo, and Muso Soseki served as its first chief priest.
The income by the trading vessel that had been called Tenryujisen was supplied as construction expenses of the temple. And, the temple came to prosper extremely.
Afterwards, the buildings in the temple were destroyed by fire, and the present buildings are rebuilt in the Meiji Period and later.
The stroll garden around the pond was designated by Muso Soseki.
It is designated as a scenic and historic site by gaverment.