Zenko-ji
Cost
Attractions > Other Cities and Areas > Shrines Temples > Nagano
About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees
Zenko-ji in Nagano Japan
About
Zenko-ji is a Buddhist temple in Nagano, Japan. It is one of Japan's most important Buddhist temples because it stores the FIRST Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan. The commandments of the temple require absolute secrecy of this statue, prohibiting it to be shown to anyone, including the chief priest of the temple! However, a replica of the statue called "Maedachi Honzon" was built and it can be shown publicly once every six years. The most recent display of "Maedachi Honzon" was in April and May of 2015. Zenko-ji was built in the 7th century and Nagano City, established in 1897, was originally a town built around the temple. Most major cities in Japan were either built around a harbor, a castle or a temple/shrine... Nagano is a "Temple City" because the original town was built around Zenko-ji.
The "Main Hall" of Zenko-ji was most recently built in 1707. You can of course enter the grounds for free but to enter the "Inner Hall" and view the "Main Alter" there is a small fee. One of the really cool features of Zenko-ji is the "Underground Passage" that is located in the basement of the temple. Visitors walk through this "Underground Passage" in complete darkness in search of the "Key to Paradise". Your run your hand along the was and if you "touch" the key, it is believed to grant salvation to anybody who touches it.
Just behind the main hall is a recently built pagoda which houses the Zenkoji History Museum.
Access
Closest Train Station: Nagano
Motoyoshicho-491
Nagano, Nagano 380-0851 Japan
Tel: 026-234-3591
From Nagano Station:
Walk - If your up for a decent walk, you can walk to the temple from Nagano station in 40-50 min.
Bus - 10 min. ride from Nagano Station
Train - walk to the Nagaden Nagano Station (next to the JR station) and catch a train. Only a 4 min. ride for 170 yen but only 2-3 trains an hour.
Hotels & Lodging
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Zenko-ji.
Hours & Fees
Hours: The grounds of Shrines and Temples are generally open 27/7, 365 days a year but, many set their own hours. If hours are set, they are generally open from 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. in the morning and close around 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the evening.
Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
Resources
Website: Zenko-ji Homepage
