Visit Zenkoji temple

One of the most important and popular temples in Japan

Information about Visit Zenkoji temple

The Zenkoji Temple in Nagano is one of the most important and famous temples in Japan. It houses the first Buddhist statue in Japan, which, according to the temple's records, came from China via Korea to Japan in 552 when Buddhism was introduced. The original statue is hidden, while a copy of it is shown to the public for a few weeks every six years.

In the magnificent main hall of the Zenkoji, which was last rebuilt in 1707, visitors can see many different Buddhist statues as well as the main altar. In the basement there is an underground passage that visitors walk in complete darkness in search of the “key to paradise”. The key is tied to a wall along the corridor and is designed to bring salvation to everyone who touches it.

Interesting facts about Visit Zenkoji temple

Walk along the ancient cobblestones of the shopping street that leads to Zenkoji, Nakamise Street. There are many small traditional shops, restaurants and cafes where you can buy souvenirs to take home.

Zenkoji Temple is not affiliated with any specific sect and all branches of Buddhism in Japan can pray here.

Located just a few steps from Zenkoji Temple, you can experience life inside a Buddhist monastery by staying at Ryosho-in. The Ryosho-in belongs to Zenkoji and is a monastery with a long tradition that offers its visitors a unique insight into the modest life of a Japanese monk. During your stay, you will have meals in the common room with other travellers, and you will have the chance to attend morning Buddhist prayers. The monastery has a large Japanese garden, offering a beautiful view of the surrounding nature.

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Spend a night in a Monastery

Spending one night the life inside a temple, which has hardly changed in millennia, is an unique experience in Japan. The relaxing atmosphere as well as the tradition architecture and design will make you live and understand the authentic life of a Japanese monk.

Many Buddhist temples offer overnight accommodation so that you can experience Japanese monastic life at first hand. The food in the temples is exclusively vegetarian. The very tasty meals consisting of several small dishes are called Shōjin Ryōri and usually consist of a bowl of white rice, pickled vegetables and variations of tofu, accompanied by a variety of tempura fried with vegetables.

Japan-Togakushi-Lake-Mountains-Trees-in-Autumn

Togakushi Plateau

Legend has it that the sun goddess Amaterasu once hid in a cave on Kyushu Island and brought darkness to the world. To get the sunlight back, the other gods lured her out of her hiding place with dances and, when she dared to come out, threw away the stone door of the cave. This stone door flew from southern Kyushu to snowy Nagano. This is how the Togakushi plateau got its name: literally translated it means “hiding door”.

Today the god who threw away the stone door is worshiped in the upper shrine, and in the lower shrine the goddess who lured Amaterasu out of the cave with her dances.

The way to the upper shrine leads through an avenue of approximately 900 year old Japanese cedar trees.