Zojo-ji, which used to be called Komyo-ji, was originally located near Kioi-cho Chiyoda City. It was later renamed to its present name and moved to the current place in Shiba, Minato City in 1598, after Tokugawa Ieyasu declared it as a bodhi temple. It was previously believed that Sangedatsu-mon was also built in Keicho period (1596-1615). However it was found out in 1974, while being partially dismantled due to subway constructions, that it was actually built in 1622 during Genna era

Sangedatsu-mon, the middle gate in Zojo-ji, is located halfway between the Daimon, which is the entrance gate, and the temple's main building . Sangedatsu-mon means that, by entering, one can free himself from one of three worldly desires: "greed, hatred or foolishness". It is a 5-bay wide gate with 3 entrances in the centre bays. This two-storied gate with a hip-and-gable roof is finished with red lacquering. With Sanro and Tsunagibei at both sides, Sangedatsu-mon is one of the largest gates in east Japan, including Tokyo. Although it is mainly Zen style, the added rails of the balustrade in Japanese style makes the gate more beautiful. This gate, which makes us imagine the grand-scale of Zojo-ji, is precious as it is the only architecture in the temple, which reminds us of the fact that Zojo-ji was built in the early Edo period.

The second story of the gate building enshrines statues of Gautama Buddha and 16 arhats.