It is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and one of the Kyoto Gozan (five temples), founded in 1202 by Eisai, the founder of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. The temple grounds are lined with a north-south alignment of three gates, the Dharma Hall, and the Hojo (chief priest's residence). The front and middle gardens of the Hojo and the O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, O, and O are beautiful gardens that evoke a sense of dryness and tranquility.

The origin of the temple is a pagoda that was built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1379 to commemorate the founding of Hodan-ji Temple. Hodan-ji Temple was abolished during the Onin War, but Rikao-in Temple is believed to be the only one that survived.
The dry landscape garden with Arashiyama in the background, which can be seen from the reception hall rebuilt in the Meiji period, is a must-see. The interior of the reception hall is decorated with fusuma paintings with the theme of oak leaf veins completed in April 2020, which is also a must-see.

It is said to be one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto, and there is a record of the repair of the shrine's tamagaki (stone wall) in 90 B.C.
The Tadasunomori forest, which stretches across the shrine grounds, is shrouded in a mysterious atmosphere, with maple trees and zelkova and other trees turning the forest red and yellow. The best time to view the leaves is relatively late, from early to mid-December, allowing visitors to enjoy the autumn colors in a relaxed atmosphere.