The temple was moved to its current grounds in 1607. Most famously, Myosenji's 17th generation head priest Tatsujo Ichikawa is credited with popularizing downhill skiing in Iiyama. After learning the technique in Niigata prefecture from visiting Austrian Major Theodor von Lerch, Ichikawa brought skiing to the mountains of Iiyama in 1912. Since that time, Iiyama has been known as the birthplace of skiing in Nagano. The 100th anniversary of skiing in the prefecture was celebrated in 2012. The temple path is known as one of the first spots to see ski tracks cut into the snow.