The temple's founder, Kakuban, fled here in 1140 after rival monks literally burned down his residence on Mount Koya for trying to reform Shingon Buddhism with controversial Pure Land elements.

Negoro-ji's grounds were designated a National Historic Site in 2007; sources also note National Place of Scenic Beauty status.

The 40-meter wooden pagoda from 1547 is the only National Treasure in Japan that visitors can enter and explore inside every single day of the year.

Its Great Pagoda (Daitō) is Japan's largest tahō-tō pagoda, standing 40 meters tall.