[2025 Nagano Attraction] Travel Guide for Zenkoji Omotesando (Updated Jul)

🇯🇵 [Nagano Prefecture] Blessings of happiness! Zenkoji Temple (^^)! A large temple consisting of Daikanjin, Daihongan and 39 lodgings on a grounds of about 59,000 square meters (^^) It is known nationwide for the "pilgrimage to Zenkoji Temple pulled by a cow", and an amazing 6 million worshippers visit it every year! About 1,400 years since its founding, it has been deeply revered by powerful people of the time such as Minamoto no Yoritomo, Takeda Shingen, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, and in the Edo period, the number of common people visiting has also increased! The pilgrimage to the Kaidan, which is an essential part of a pilgrimage to Zenkoji Temple, involves groping your way through the pitch black corridors under the floor of the main hall, touching the lock of paradise under the principal image, and forming a connection with the principal image (^^) #0 yen trip

We visited Zenkoji Temple in Nagano during the night light illumination event in mid-February, and it was a beautiful and calming experience. There was a decent crowd, but it wasn’t overcrowded—just enough people to feel the shared appreciation, yet still quiet enough to enjoy the atmosphere peacefully. The soft lighting, gentle music, and crisp winter air created a tranquil mood throughout the temple grounds. The way the lights highlighted the temple’s historical architecture made the whole place feel almost otherworldly. It felt like a rare moment where tradition and modern artistry came together in harmony. If you’re in Nagano during winter, this evening event is definitely worth checking out. It’s a lovely way to wind down your day and see Zenkoji in a completely different light—peaceful, reflective, and quietly beautiful.

Zenkoji Temple is one of Japan's most famous temples, located in Nagano Prefecture. The majestic main hall, which stands on a vast site, overwhelms all visitors⛩️. The temple grounds are filled with flowers that bloom in every season, and the scenery is especially beautiful during the cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn leaves in fall🌸🍁. As one of the sacred sites of Buddhism in Japan, it is visited by many worshippers throughout the year and is a place of peace and tranquility🕊️. Zenkoji Temple is also famous for the experience of "Okaidan Meguri," a unique ritual in which you walk through a pitch-black corridor to come face-to-face with Buddha👣. This is a valuable experience that gives you a sense of the depth of faith and humility✨. 📍Basic information (check the official website for the latest information) ✴︎Address: 491 Motozencho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture ✴︎Access: About 10 minutes on foot from Nagano Station ✴︎Price: Okaidan Tour (500 yen for adults, 300 yen for children) ✴︎Opening hours: 6:00-17:00 (Okaidan Tour is 8:00-16:30) Travel TIPS When you visit Zenkoji Temple, be sure to try the Okaidan Tour🕯️. When you walk through the pitch black road while feeling the feet of the Buddha, your mind will mysteriously calm and you will be deeply moved🌟. There are also beautiful gardens and souvenir shops with sweet fragrances in the precincts, so you can forget about time and take a leisurely stroll🛍️. It is within walking distance of Nagano Station, so it is a convenient spot to stop by in between sightseeing🚶♂️✨. #Spring0yenTrip #DomesticTravel

#Domestic Travel Strategy Snowy "Zenkoji Temple" If you're talking about famous temples in Nagano Prefecture, this is it. It was snowing and cold that day, but it was great to take pictures of the snowy scenery 🤭 It looked like it was lit up the next day 😂 Too bad ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ Spot. Zenkoji Temple Address. 491-I, Nagano Motozencho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Opening hours. 9:00~16:30 🅿️. Paid parking available "600 yen for 2 hours" 🚗. From Tokyo Chuo Expressway [Okaya JCT] → Nagano Expressway [Koshoku JCT] → Joshinetsu Expressway [Nagano IC] Kanetsu Expressway [Fujioka JCT] → Joshinetsu Expressway [Nagano IC] From Nagoya/Osaka Meishin Expressway [Komaki JCT] → Chuo Expressway [Okaya JCT] → Nagano Expressway [Koshoku JCT] → Joshinetsu Expressway [Nagano IC] From Niigata/Hokuriku Hokuriku Expressway [Joetsu JCT] → Joshinetsu Expressway [Suzaka Nagano Higashi IC] From both Nagano IC and Suzaka Nagano Higashi IC, it takes about 40 minutes by car to reach Zenkoji Temple. 🚃 From Tokyo JR Tokyo Station (about 1 hour 30 minutes on the Hokuriku Shinkansen) → JR Nagano Station From Nagoya/Osaka JR Shin-Osaka Station (about 1 hour on the Tokaido Shinkansen) → JR Nagoya Station (about 3 hours on the Chuo Line Limited Express "Shinano") → JR Nagano Station From Niigata/Hokuriku JR Kanazawa Station (about 1 hour on the Hokuriku Shinkansen) → JR Nagano Station From JR Nagano Station to Zenkoji, please take the bus from "Platform 1 (towards Zenkoji)" at the Zenkojiguchi bus rotary. (Nagano Station → Zenkoji Daimon, travel time approx. 15 mins, fare 190 yen) From the bus stop at Zenkoji Daimon to the main hall of Zenkoji, it's about a 5 min walk ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ #Zenkoji #Nagano sightseeing #Nagano trip #Visiting shrines and temples Model: Maya

Zenkoji Temple in Nagano Prefecture is a famous temple loved by many as a place of faith, and it is so special to believers that it is said that "everyone should visit Zenkoji Temple at least once in their lifetime." Zenkoji Temple is characterized by its gorgeous architecture and the beauty of its main hall, which has been designated an Important Cultural Property. The main hall contains a hidden object of worship, a "secret Buddha," which cannot be worshiped by the general public, but it is sometimes open to the public during special events. Within the temple grounds, there is a beautiful garden and the popular tourist area "Zenkoji Shitamachi," where you can enjoy local specialties and souvenirs. #NaganoTourism #0YenTravelAutumn

The famous temple of Nagano, "Zenkoji", is not only a temple, but also a very impressive approach! Zenkoji Omotesando is lined with many restaurants and souvenir shops, so you will never be short of food or souvenirs🛍️ It has a great atmosphere with a fusion of various cultures such as Western-style buildings reminiscent of the Meiji era and Japanese houses, so it is an area you should visit at least once when you go to Zenkoji! 📍Address: Nagano, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 381-0841 💞Reason for recommendation: There are plenty of gourmet foods to eat while walking around! #DomesticTravelRecordLine #Nagano #NaganoTourism #NaganoTrip #Zenkoji #ZenkojiOmotesando #ZenkojiNakamiseStreet