The pagoda is a five-story Hokanji temple ocated to the west of Ninen-zaka and San'nen-zaka streets. The pagoda is 49 meters high, and is the third highest wooden building in Kyoto after Toji and Kofukuji. It is the principal landmark around this area.

It is said that this pagoda was built in 592 by Shotoku-taishi, a prince of that period. The historical fact is not sure, but it IS sure that the temple existed before the transfer of the national capital to Kyoto in 794. The pagoda has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times; the current one was rebuilt in 1440 by Yoshinori Ashikaga, the 6th Shogun of Muromachi government.

An important cultural property, there are some Buddha statues on the first floor. The pagoda is sometimes open to the public, giving spectacular views of Kyoto from the second floor.