Kentoku-jinja Shrine is a small shrine located outside the trailhead of Mount Kentoku. Thus, it is also called Kentokusan Maemiya-jinja Shrine (literally, “Mount Kentoku ante shrine”). Mount Kentoku is said to be where the high priest Muso Kokushi engaged in ascetic training and attained enlightenment. Muso Kokushi was active from the end of the Kamakura Period (1185–1333) to early Muromachi Period (1336–1573), and is also known as the founder of Erin-ji Temple in Enzan, Kofu City.
The mountain was given the name Kentoku for its meaning of “virtues of the ruler,” and also because the character for “ken,” which refers to the northwest direction, corresponds to its location in the northwestern part of the Kyoto District. Mount Kentoku, with its numerous unique rock formations such as the Higesori-iwa (shaving rock) and Tsukimi-iwa (moon-viewing rock), has been selected among the “100 Famous Mountains of Yamanashi” and “200 Famous Japanese Mountains.” Many mountaineers to Mount Kentoku pray for a safe climb at Kentoku-jinja Shrine before setting off on their way.