It was rebuilt in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and moved to Niiza city sixty years later. The temple grounds are situated in a forested area and is considered to be a national monument. Heirin-ji differs from other temples in the Tokyo area by having no temple markets nor public festivals held at the temple.
The temple remains a training temple for monks, who can often be seen working in the grounds. The grounds of the temple preserve a stretch of the Musashino woodlands. Animals such as raccoon dogs that are now not often seen in the city are found around the temple. The grounds also provide a roost for a large number of Japanese crows. The gardens are notable for the maple trees in autumn and the ume blossoms in early spring. The bell, with the ume blossom, was the inspiration for one of Toshi Yoshida's wood block prints.[2][3]
