You must climb 540 stone steps total to reach the main hall: 400 steps from the entrance gate, then another 140 steps through scattered rock-carved Buddha statues embedded into the mountainside.

Iyadani-ji ist Tempel Nr. 71 auf der 88-Stationen-Pilgerroute durch Shikoku.

The temple was founded around 724 AD, making it 50 to 100 years older than Kōbō Daishi himself, who was born in 774. The original purpose was to heal Empress Kōmyō's illness.

The Lion's Cave (Shishi no iwaya) at the back looks like a lion's open mouth. Kōbō Daishi studied here after returning from China and dedicated five treasure bells to the temple.