[2025 Nagano Attraction] Travel Guide for Sammon Gate, Zenkōji temple (Updated Mar)

Name📝: Zenko-ji Omotesando 善光寺表參道 Nearest train station 🚉: Zenkojishita 善光寺下 Address📍: Nagano, 381-0841, Japan Famous for✨: The cultural architecture on the street The many local restaurants and street food stalls The various small temples that lead to the main Zenkoji Temple Tourist spots nearby 👀: ⛩️Zenko Ji Temple -25 minutes walk 🐻 Jooyama Zoo - 17 minutes walk #nagano #Zenkoji #Zenkojitemple #japan

Name📝: Zenko-ji Omotesando 善光寺表參道 Address📍: Japan, 〒380-0853 Nagano Nearest train station 🚉: Zenkojishita 善光寺下 Famous for ✨: the many souvenir shops and local delicacies all the way leading up to the Zenko-ji Temple Tourist spots nearby 👀: ⛩️ Zenko Ji Temple (from the beginning of the shopping Street it’s about 25 minute walk, but time passes quickly when you are shopping) 🐵 Joyama Zoo (from the end of the street at Zenko Ji Temple only 10 minute walk) #nagano #Zenkoji #japan

Visiting Zenkoji Temple in Nagano is a deeply moving experience, blending history, spirituality, and serenity. As you step through the grand entrance, the scent of burning incense and the gentle ringing of bells create a peaceful atmosphere. The ancient wooden temple, standing strong for over 1,400 years, radiates a sense of timelessness. One of the most profound moments is walking through the Okaidan Meguri, the pitch-black underground passage beneath the main hall. Feeling your way in complete darkness, searching for the “key to paradise,” is both humbling and symbolic—reminding you to trust in the unseen. Outside, the temple grounds offer a perfect blend of history and seasonal beauty. Whether it's cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, fiery foliage in autumn, or a blanket of snow in winter, Zenkoji remains breathtaking year-round. Strolling through the bustling Nakamise Street, enjoying local specialties like oyaki (steamed dumplings) and warm soba, completes the experience. Zenkoji Temple is more than a destination—it’s a place of reflection, cultural richness, and spiritual renewal. A must-visit for anyone seeking a deeper connection to Japan’s heritage. #ZenkojiTemple #Nagano #TempleVibes #JapanTravel #travelfreak

Zenkoji Temple is a non-sectarian Buddhist temple located in Motozenmachi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. The temple is jointly managed by two head priests: the 'Daikanjin Kanshu' and the 'Daihongan Shonin.' The principal image enshrined here is the Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai, said to be the oldest in Japan, and it is a hidden Buddha that is never shown to the public. The Zenkoji Nyorai, the principal image of Zenkoji Temple, is considered a symbol of authority and has a storied history. During the Sengoku period, various feudal lords competed to relocate the Zenkoji Nyorai to their own territories, causing it to move from place to place. To get to Zenkoji Temple from JR Nagano Station, please take the bus from the Zenkoji Exit Bus Rotary, Platform 1 (bound for Zenkoji). The journey from Nagano Station to Zenkoji Daimon takes approximately 15 minutes and costs 190 yen.