The Honshoji Temple belongs to the school of Jodo Buddhism and was founded by a highly ranked monk named Keien in the beginning of the 13th century. Keien trained under the man that founded Jodo Buddhism, Shinran. This temple enshrines the Amida as a honzon (the principal object of worship). Since the foundation of this temple, it has played a central role in the Mikawa province (the former name of the current Aichi prefecture).　

The outside of this temple is absolutely beautiful and is often confused for a castle, due to its koro (drum tower), moat, and earthwork fortification. The temple was one of the central temples during the battle of Azukizaka in the Mikawa Province on 1563. The temple caused a riot against Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu won the battle and exiled monks that belonged to the temple. Ieyasu also ordered for the main building of the temple to be destroyed. However, after some time had passed, the riots caused the public to wish for a more peaceful and equal world. Therefore, twenty years later, the prohibition of monks was removed and the temple was reconstructed in 1583.