Shishikutsu Temple is said to have been set up by En-no-Ozuno (the founder of the ascetic Buddhism). The principal image of Yakushi-Nyorai (Buddha of Healing) is a designated National Treasure carved by Saint Gyoki (668-749). It is also said that it took three years and three months for Gyoki to finish this carving, for he bowed to it three times before every carving. This Nyorai is believed to help mothers with breast-feeding. The name of the temple comes from the large rock in the back of the main hall, which looks like a roaring lion. Buddhist Saint Kukai (774-835) is said to have performed the ascetic practices in this rock in the Heian period. Up the stone steps in the north of the main hall stands a bonji monument with bonji letters (the Siddham script) standing for the universe engraved on it. The letters read “a-bi-ra-un-ken” that is the Shingon (mantra) of Dainichi-Nyorai (Great Sun Buddha), which is also the symbol of Kukai’s Shingon School of Buddhism. A lot of hikers come to enjoy walking along the diversified trails in “Kurondo Enchi” adjacent to the temple. Reservation is needed to see the Yakushi-Nyorai.