[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

#Get a discount without relying on luck #Zenkoji Temple is a temple that is a symbol of Nagano. It is important in the history of Buddhism in Japan. It is a temple that many people say "You must go once in your life" and I got it. The atmosphere inside the temple has a main hall, Sanmon Gate is considered the main gate of the temple, and there are 6 Jizo statues near Sanmo Gate. The day I went, it was snowing lightly, but I didn't give up on going to worship. The inside is very beautiful and magnificent. When I finished worshiping and walked out, I saw that this place was surrounded by mountains. #Travel Take the bus in front of JR Nagano Station. There will be an Alpico Kotsu Bus stop. Get off at Zenkoji Daimon stop. It takes 15 minutes, about 5 stops, and then walk for another 5 minutes. Before reaching the temple, there will be an area of ​​Nakamise Street. (Nakamise-dori Street) which stretches to the front of the temple is also a street lined with many shops where you can stop by to buy delicious food and enjoy walking around. 🕰️ Opening hours: The main hall closes at 4:30 p.m. Other areas are open 24 hours a day.

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

I drove from Tokyo to Nagano to eat soba noodles 🍇 It wasn't just a side trip, but when you're in Nagano, you have to visit Zenkoji Temple 😀 There was the oldest Buddha statue in Japan and a Buddha statue that is said to heal your body if you rub it. There was also Nakamise Street. The Starbucks there was designed for tourists and was cute. The stores started to close after 3pm, so it's best to visit earlier 😊 #0 yen trip February 2025 #Zenkoji Temple #Nagano sightseeing #Drive from Tokyo

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.