NAGANO TRIP 
Zenkoji temple (善光寺) is one of the most famous temples in Japan. This temple’s Honzon (principal image of Buddha) is Amida Nyorai statue from China. However, this culture originally came from India. The main shrine of Zenko-ji that was built in 1707, has registered a national treasure.
There are many hospices and eating establishments and souvenir shops aside from the main street to the main shrine. It is exposed to the public once every 7 years. This event is called “Gokai-Cho (御開帳)”
| ADDRESS | 491, Motoyoshi machi, Ooaza Nagano, Nagano City. |
| CATEGORY | Temple |
| BEST SEASON | All |
| PARKING | There are a lot of pay parking |
| PRICE | – |
There are many parkings around Zenkoji Temple. But there is not free-parking. And parking is a little bit expensive. I recommend walking from Nagano station to Zenkoji Temple.
Access to Zenkoji Temple from Tokyo
Zenkoji Temple from Nagano Sation
The nearest station is Nagano Station (長野駅). Approximately 20 minutes by walk. A road from Nagano station to Zenkoji is easy to understand. There are many characteristic shops in the front area of Zenkoji.
Access from Haneda Airport to Zenkoji Temple
1, Approximately 20 minutes, Haneda Airport International Terminal Station to Hamamatucho Station (490 yen/ Tokyo-Monorail Local)
2, Approximately 7 minutes, Hamamatucho Station to Tokyo Station (160 yen/ Keihintohoku Line Local)
3, Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (8,000 yen/ Hokuriku Shinkansen Hakutaka)
Access from Narita Airport to Zenkoji Temple
1, Approximately 1 hour, Narita Airport International Terminal 1 to Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit (1,000 yen/ Narita-Airport Limousine Bus Airport Shuttle Bus)
2, Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, Tokyo Station to Nagano Station (8,000 yen/ Hokuriku Shinkansen Hakutaka)
→More Detail about access from Tokyo to Nagano
Viewing from Top of Sanmon
If you come to the gate after passing the Niomon, please go up to the top of Sanmon. You can see the inside of the gate, and there is a corridor that goes around the gate. Look down on the scenery in front of Zenkoji Temple’s main road, or enjoy the Zenkoji Hondo from the side.
Inside od Zenkoji Temple Hondo
You may be surprised that the main hall is long in the back and the inside is unexpectedly large. It is so beautiful and Sacred atmosphere. There are Sotojin and Naijin, and insiders need admission fees. Inside ticket↓
| Adult | 500 yen |
| high school students | 200 yen |
| elementary and junior high school students | 50 yen |
Zenkoji Temple Tunnel (Underground passage)
There is a temple tunnel walking at Zenkoji. This tunnel is located under the principal object of worship at a temple. This tunnel walking is called “Okaidan Meguri” that some temples have. However, Zenkoji’s tunnel is the most famous tunnel in Japan.
A visitor has to walk about 45m in the darkroom that means a world after death. If a visitor can touch a key on the right wall, the visitor will catch a good fortune. Let’s try!
A visitor needs to get the ticket to do Okaidan Meguri.
Zenkoji Temple Morning Ceremony
If you go to Zenkoji in the morning, you have to take part in “Oasaji” that is the morning ceremony is done every morning. This ceremony is about 1 hour. A participant experience two sect events.
| Adult ticket | 500 yen |
| High school | 200 yen |
| Elementary to Junior high school | 50 yen |
| Under 6 years old | Free |
A visitor who wants to take part in Oasaji, needs to apply before Oasaji while 30 ~ 10 minutes. Be careful as a time to start Oasaji depending on the day at different time. Please check the official web site.
Enjoy Zenkoji Temple at night
Zenkoji holds the Tomyo Festival every winter. The scene where Zenkoji Temple and its surroundings are lite up is very beautiful. Usually, the festival got early February.
Eating Soba around Zenkozi Temple
Soba is famous in Nagano prefecture where Zenkoji is located! If you come to Zenkoji Temple, please eat soba. There are many famous restaurants. If you want to know more soba, please read these articles!
→WHAT’S JAPANESE SOBA NOODLES? HOW TO EAT
Buying the best souvenior “Yawataya isogoro”
The head office of the Shinshu brand Shichimi “Yawataya Isogoro” is located in front of Zenkoji. There are many places such as soba shops and curry shops, so please watch carefully. It is perfect for souvenirs, and it is a shichimi shop with many fans outside Japan.
Point to be careful fo Zenkoji Temple
Usually, visitors can take a picture outside. But Inside of the Hondo is not admitted taking a picture.
Actually, there are some same name temple “Zenkoji” in Japan. The most famous Zenkoji is Nagano’s Zenkoji temple. But if you are interested in other temples, it may be fun to go around.
There are more things to do in Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, Japan
Zenkoji has other attractive points without the article! And there are many historical places in Nagano, Japan. If you want to know about historical places, please read the below article!
→11 Historical Places in Nagano You Need to Visit in Your Japan Travel
