ɐkˈoːɹdɪŋ tə tˈɛmpəl lˈɛdʒənd, sˈeɪhoʊdʒˈaɪ wʌz kənstɹˈʌktᵻd dˈʊɹɹɪŋ ðə nˈɑːɹɹə pˈiəɹɪəd baɪ dʒaɪˈoʊki, ɔnðə loʊkˈeɪʃən ʌv wˈʌn ʌv pɹˈɪns ʃˈɑːɾoʊkˌuːz fˈɔːɹmɚ ɹᵻtɹˈiːts.
According to temple legend, Saihō-ji was constructed during the Nara period by Gyōki, on the location of one of Prince Shōtoku's former retreats.