Engaku-ji Temple was built in 1246 at Yaguramon (present-day Gionmachi) by Hojo Tokiyori, fifth regent of the Kamakura shogunate to mark the arrival of Buddhist monk Lanxi Daolong (known posthumously as Dajue Zen Master) from Song China. However, all of the temple buildings were burnt down during the war-torn period.

In 1636, its base was moved to the grounds of Shofukuji Temple and was rebuilt, becoming a monastry for the temple.

The wisdom of the Nampo-roku, a book of secret teachings of the tea master Sen no Rikyu, was passed down at Engaku-ji, based on an initial copy made by Tachibana Jitsuzan  of the Fukuoka Domain. Engaku-ji is known for its Nampo style of tea and its Zen training hall.