Sightseeing Spots - Sightseeing

Zenkoji Temple : 善光寺

The Legendary Temple at the Heart of Nagano City

Northern Nagano

Description

Founded 1400 years ago, Zenkoji Temple houses a sacred image of Amida Triad Sharing One Halo and is deeply revered by the Japanese people. The image is completely hidden and a replica of it is put on display once every 6 years during a two-month long event known as Gokaicho (next is in 2021). In Zenkoji’s main hall, for an admission fee visitors can enter the inner sanctuary as well as do the O-Kaidan Meguri -- descend into a pitch-black, completely-dark corridor to search for the “key to paradise” that is located directly under the sacred image. If you find the key, it is believed you will be granted salvation.
During the 1998 Nagano Olympics, Zenkoji’s bell rang out to pray for world peace.
The approach to the temple passes through the Sanmon Gate (built in 1750, designated an Important Cultural Property, offers a viewpoint on its 2nd floor) and Niomon Gate, and is lined by a myriad of shops and restaurants. On either side of the main approach are side streets lined by ‘shukubo’ temple lodging. They continue to be popular today especially by visitors wanting to participate in the early-morning Oasaji ceremony where the top priest(ess) imparts blessings on the attendees.

Details

  • 400
  • 20
  • Inside the store and in its vicinity.
  • Up to the entrance to the Main Hall
Hours
Summer: 04:30-16:30; Winter 06:00-16:00 (some variance by season)
Date(s)
Open Year-Round 28-Dec 06:00-08:00 Main Hall only, 31-Dec 06:00-13:00
Entrance Price
Entrance to Sanmon Gate adults 500, high school 200, elementary and middle school 50 yen.
Inner Sanctuary Ticket (entrance to tatami mat section and O-Kaidan Meguri in Main Hall and Zenkoji History Museum) adults 500, high school 200, elementary and middle school 50 yen.
Time Required
60-90 min.
Reservations
Not required
Capacity
No limit
Foreign Languages
(English brochures available.)
Luggage Storage
Not Available

Notes

Certified volunteer guides available.
-Every weekend (Saturday, Sunday) and holiday
-From 10:00 to 15:00*
-Ask at the Komagaeri Bridge Information Center (part way up the cobblestone path on the left side).
-Languages: English and Chinese
-Cost: Free**
*All guides may be out with other groups so none may immediately be available.
**Entrance to the Main Hall's Inner Sanctuary incl. O-Kaidan Meguri tour, Zenkoji Museum and Sanmon Gate cost extra.

Contact

tel : +81(0)26-234-3591Official site

Access / Location

By Train
From Nagano Station(JR Hokuriku(Nagano) Shinkansen), From the Zenkoji exit, bus platform #1 (bound for Zenkoji), use the Zenkoji Daimon stop (approx. 15 min, 150 yen), then 5 min on foot.
By Car
From Nagano IC, 40 min
From Suzaka Nagano East IC, 40 min
Address
491-i Nagano-Motoyoshicho, Nagano 380-0851

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