Zenkoji TempleUnclaimed

Take an Alpico Kotsu bus from the Zenkoji exit of JR Nagano Station, about 15 minutes to the Zenkoji Daimon stop, then about 5 minutes on foot. On foot from the station it is about 2 km, taking 25-30 minutes. The bus fare is about 190 yen one way.

Holders of a disability certificate and up to one accompanying person may enter the paid areas free of charge. Please show the certificate at reception.

It is the daily service conducted by the head priest, known for the Ojuzu Choudai in which participants' heads are touched with the prayer beads to receive a blessing. Anyone may attend free of charge, though it is occasionally cancelled; please check the official website.

The Nakamise street runs along both sides of the approach to Zenkoji, from the Daimon gate to the Sanmon gate, lined with shops selling Shinshu sweets, crafts and soba, and restaurants. It is ideal for a stroll before or after your visit.

Pre-school children enter the paid areas free with an adult (children of elementary school age and under may not climb the Sanmon gate). The Okaidan-meguri may be difficult for children who dislike the dark, but walking the extensive grounds and browsing the Nakamise shopping street are enjoyable with children.

Goshuin are issued at the goshuin office to the left of the main hall, from 30 minutes before the morning service until 16:30, at 500 yen.

About 30-45 minutes to walk the grounds alone, or 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours including the inner sanctuary, the Okaidan-meguri, climbing the Sanmon gate and the archive.

Visiting the grounds and the outer hall is free and open 24 hours a day. A ticket is required to enter the inner sanctuary of the National Treasure main hall, the Okaidan-meguri, the Sanmon gate, the sutra repository and the archive.

The grounds are open over the New Year period and you can make the traditional first visit of the year. Opening hours for the paid areas (the inner sanctuary, the Sanmon gate and so on) and some operations may change, so please check the official website for the latest information.

It is a devotional experience in which you feel your way along a pitch-dark corridor beneath the main hall and touch the Key to Paradise directly below the principal image, forming a bond with the Buddha. It is so dark that even after your eyes adjust you cannot see your own hand, and the passage is understood to represent death and rebirth.

There are large visitor car parks in the grounds of Zenkoji. They can fill up in busy periods such as the New Year visits and Golden Week, so please also consider public transport.

About 15 minutes on an Alpico Kotsu bus from the Zenkoji exit of JR Nagano Station, alighting at Zenkoji Daimon, then 5 minutes on foot. On foot it is about 2 km (about 25 minutes) from the station.

The outer hall of the main hall is free. The inner sanctuary, the Okaidan-meguri and the archive: 600 yen for general visitors. A combined ticket for the three halls (inner sanctuary, Sanmon gate and sutra repository) plus the archive is 1,200 yen for general visitors, 400 yen for high school students, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and free for pre-school children.

Parking is available. Please check the official information for details.

491 Nagano Motoyoshi-cho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture

From one hour before the morning service until 16:30 (April to October), 16:15 (March and November) or 16:00 (December to February). The Sanmon gate and the sutra repository are open 9:00-16:00.

The grounds are open 24 hours, every day. The paid areas such as the inner sanctuary and the Sanmon gate have some restrictions over the New Year period.