石手寺有七座建筑被指定为国宝或重要文化财产。

The temple's name 'Stone Hand' comes from a legend where a priest opened a baby's clenched fist to reveal a stone inscribed 'Emon Saburō is reborn,' proving the child was a reincarnated pilgrim.

Founded by Gyōki as Annoyō-ji, the temple was converted from Hossō to Shingon Buddhism by Kūkai himself, the founder of the Shikoku pilgrimage tradition.

The temple complex features an unusual network of caves and tunnels that pilgrims can explore, making it unlike most other temples on the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage route.