What other travelers are saying about (Zenkō-ji) Zenkoji temple
This is the most extraordinary Buddhist temple I have ever visited.
As soon as I checked into my hotel, I went for a walk around the city and eventually reached this temple. The moment I arrived, I was enveloped by an overwhelming feeling of happiness — happiness of the highest kind. It was simply indescribable, unlike anything I have ever felt before. Such beauty and such purity.
I attended the morning services every day during my stay in Nagano. They were incredibly beautiful and deeply moving. I felt that I came into contact with something beyond words.
During the services, I met wonderful people who gently guided me and explained what to do. I received a morning blessing from the o-jōsama, when he touches you with prayer beads. It is believed that this touch can replace many hours of spiritual practice, as he passes on his accumulated merit to you.
Please take the time to read about this temple — it is truly remarkable. You can feel the power of prayer there, along with the beauty of this world in its purest form.
It was here that I decided to begin collecting temple stamps (goshuin). I bought my first goshuin book at this temple, as well as several amulets for my loved ones.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You can explore the beautiful main hall, a designated National Treasure, walk through peaceful gardens, and see the Nio Gate with its protective statues. Nearby, there are shops and restaurants where you can try Nagano’s famous soba noodles.
Zenkō-ji is beautiful year-round, but spring with cherry blossoms and autumn with colorful leaves are especially nice. The next Gokaicho ceremony in 2028 will also be a great time to visit.
From Nagano Station, you can reach the temple by bus or on foot in about 30 minutes. Nagano Station is about 90 minutes from Tokyo by the Hokuriku Shinkansen, making it easy to visit.
The original Buddha statue, called the “Hibutsu” or hidden Buddha, is never shown to the public. However, a replica is displayed during a special event called Gokaicho, which takes place once every seven years.
While the temple grounds are free to enter, some areas, such as the main hall and the underground passage, require a small admission fee to help with the temple’s upkeep.
Went here as an unplanned visit after arriving in Nagano and being told that the snow monkeys were not in the onsen after arriving at Nagano Station. It turned out to be a wonderful surprise, and the Zenkōji temple is definitely well worth a visit. Went in the afternoon around 2pm just as the sun was going down, which gave a special light to the area. There is both an element of gravitas as a place of worship and a memorial site. Several Japanese locals visited to pay religious respects, including many elderly Japanese citizens who likely have familial ties to the place.
The grounds are serene and well maintained and the walk up the cobblestoned path feels almost like a pilgrimage.
A lot of locals walk and carry dogs in prams. A pitbull in a pram/dress, a manicured sausage dog with knitted hats. A husky in a full dress. Many locals in kimono. The foodstalls felt a bit out of place on the walk up the hill, but the other stores selling prayer materials and small souvenirs did feel vibrant and not too heavily commercialized.
November is a good time of year to go. The Japanese maples start to turn red, the crowds are too great and the temperature is crisp. It felt like a very authentic visit and one I would highly recommend.
It is a very beautiful temple, the experience of going through the dark tunnel was something I would remember by.
A place for enlightenment
In the pitch-black tunnel below Zenkoji's Main Hall, we come to realize that all people are completely equal.
While groping in the darkness for the key to Paradise, free yourself of worldly thoughts, engage in self-reflection and even experience a spiritual awakening.
Visitors are allowed to go inside the temple. It was a good experience.
The shopping street is worth visiting as well. A few shops selling oyaki which are quite tasty. Other street food was available.
One of recommendations place to go when you strolling around Nagano. The vibes was very calming, the temple was very clean. In the front of temple we can buy delicious snacks
