⛩ 🐮✅ ⛩ Zenkoji Temple & Obusedo Temple Guide – A trip to enjoy sightseeing in Nagano!

#DomesticTravelTactics Zenkoji Temple (Nagano Prefecture) is a historic temple whose principal image is the "Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai," the oldest Buddhist statue in Japan. It is said that you should visit Zenkoji Temple at least once in your lifetime, and it is a popular power spot visited by worshippers from all over the country. In addition, after visiting Zenkoji Temple, we recommend taking the "Snow Monkey" to Obusedo Temple to enjoy chestnut sweets! We will introduce you to a detailed strategy for avoiding crowds and going around efficiently✨ 📍 Basic information (Zenkoji Temple) • Location: 491 Motozencho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture • Visiting hours: • Main hall: Summer (April to September) 5:30 to 16:30, Winter (October to March) 6:00 to 16:00 • Kaidan pilgrimage: Same as main hall visiting hours • Admission fee: Main hall (including Kaidan pilgrimage) 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for junior and senior high school students, 50 yen for elementary school students 🚃 Access: • About 30 minutes walk from JR Nagano Station or about 10 minutes by bus, get off at "Zenkoji Daimon" • Parking available (many paid parking lots nearby) 🔥 1. Tips and highlights for visiting Zenkoji Temple 🔹 ① Visit first thing in the morning to avoid crowds! • The best time to come is during the "Oasa-go" from 5:30 to 7:00! • Visiting the temple in the silence of the early morning will give you a sacred atmosphere✨ • It gets crowded with tourists after noon, so it's best to visit in the morning! 🔹 ② 3 Must-See Spots at Zenkoji Temple 🙏 Oasa-go (Morning Service) • A ritual that symbolizes the morning at Zenkoji Temple. • The "Ojuzu Chodai" ritual, in which the head priest gently places a rosary on the head of the believer, is especially popular✨ 🔦 Okaidan Meguri (Pitch-Dark Corridor) • It is said that if you touch the "Place of Paradise" in the basement of the main hall, you will be able to go to paradise! • A thrilling experience of groping your way through the pitch-black corridor. 🏯 Spectacular views from the Niomon and Sanmon Gates • The Niomon Gate is an impressive gate where you are greeted by a giant Nio statue. • If you climb the mountain gate (admission fee 500 yen), you can see the whole view of Zenkoji Omotesando and Nagano city✨ 🕒 ③ A model course for efficiently touring Zenkoji 5:30: Participate in the morning service and experience "Ojuzu Chodai" 6:30: Tour the Kaidan at the main hall (experience it before it gets crowded!) 7:00: Have breakfast while strolling along Omotesando (soba noodles and oyaki are recommended) 8:00: Visit Niomon Gate and Sanmon Gate and take photos📸 9:00: Move to Nagano Station and head to Obuse🚆 🚆 2. Take the "Snow Monkey" from Zenkoji to Obuse! After visiting Zenkoji, we recommend going to Obuse, the highlight of Nagano sightseeing! If you take the **Nagano Electric Railway "Snow Monkey"** from Nagano Station, you will arrive at Obuse in about 30 minutes 🚆✨ 🍂 3. Recommended spots in Obuse 🍰 ① Obusedo (famous chestnut sweets shop) • The specialty "Suzaku Mont Blanc" and chestnut yokan are exquisite! • It is especially popular during chestnut season (September to November), so it is best to come early ◎ 🎨 ② Hokusaikan (Art museum related to Katsushika Hokusai) • Obuse is the town where the Edo period ukiyo-e artist "Katsushika Hokusai" spent his later years. • You can view Hokusai's precious works 🎨 🚶 ③ Stroll through the Obuse chestnut townscape • Enjoy chestnut rice and chestnut ice cream while walking through the charming townscape! • We also recommend the beautiful walking path called "Chestnut Path"✨ 🍽️ 4. Enjoy Nagano gourmet at Zenkoji Temple & Obuse • Yawataya Isogoro (Shichimi pepper): Perfect souvenir! You can also blend it to your liking🌶️ • Oyaki (Irohado, Ogawa no Sho): A classic Nagano specialty! • Shinshu Soba (Kadono Daimaru, Fujiki-an): Taste the exquisite handmade soba🍜 • Chestnut sweets (Obuse-do, Takefu-do): Enjoy Obuse's unique chestnut gourmet🍰 🎯 5. Recommended plan to enjoy Zenkoji Temple & Obuse 🚶 Half-day plan (mainly Zenkoji Temple) ✅ 5:30~ Participate in morning service (enjoy the quiet atmosphere with an early morning visit) ✅ 6:30~ Tour the altar and visit the main hall ✅ 7:00~ Enjoy yakitori and soba at Omotesando ✅ 8:00~ Take photos at Niomon and Sanmon 🚆 One-day plan (Zenkoji Temple + Obuse) ✅ 5:30~9:00 Visit Zenkoji Temple (morning service, tour the altar, Omotesando gourmet) ✅ 9:30~10:00 Move to Obuse by Snow Monkey🚆 ✅ 10:30-12:00 Chestnut sweets & lunch at Obusedo🍰 ✅ 12:30-14:00 Hokusai Museum & Chestnut Town Walk🚶 ✅ 14:30-16:00 Return to Nagano Station, buy souvenirs & go to cafe☕ 🛤️ Summary ✅ Avoid the crowds at the "Oasa-go" from 5:30-7:00! ✅ "Ojuzucho-dai" and "Okaidan-meguri" are must-experiences! ✅ After Zenkoji Temple, go to Obuse by "Snow Monkey"! ✅ Enjoy Nagano sightseeing with chestnut sweets at Obusedo & Hokusai Museum✨ Experience a special trip at Zenkoji Temple & Obuse, where you can enjoy history, culture, and gourmet food all at once!