Sainenji was established in 1639 by Jonen, one of the leading disciples of Saint Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. The temple was brought to Iiyama by order of Iiyama feudal lord Matsudaira.After burning down four times, the main hall was reconstructed in 1990. The cherry blossom tree outside the main hall was originally scorched in a fire, but regenerated to produce gorgeous flowers.