Zenko-ji Temple
Zenko-ji Temple
4.5
6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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- DREGSGrafham, United Kingdom383 contributionsFeel for the key!We enjoyed our visit. Finding the key to Paradise in the pitch black is a experience - not only does it show you how a blind person feels but also it is worth it for the atmosphere. The Buddhist praying area is very calm and they keep the place very keen in the Main hall so walking in stocking feet as you carry your shoes around in a bag is not a issue. Beware the initial steps down into the corridor with the key is dimly lit and the first steps are steep and deep. The gardens are beautiful and there are plenty of places to have food - we took a bento box in with us and found a quit spot . Plenty of loos around and opportunities abound for buying souvenirs, fortune telling and food. It’s easy to find and if you take a bus it saves time but if not it’s an easy walk from the station.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 October 2023
- LindaHanc, France226 contributionsgoodpart of a day visit but we'll worth it. we had a local guide who spoke good English and told all the stories about the temple. we paid extra to go into the temple and down In the tunnel. this is in complete darkness, you have to feel the wall with your left hand to find the handle of happiness. completely safe no surprises. as with temples you have to take your shoes off, the staff give you bags to put shoes in.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 10 January 2024
- Karen MKirkwall, United Kingdom1,240 contributionsAmazing architecture to this stunning temple & gardensAmazing architecture & huge main structure. The numerous buildings are surrounded by tranquil gardens & paths. You're able to stroll around all of the buildings & enter a few - some require a ticket. Sign posts direct you around the gardens & it's easy to followVisited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 June 2024
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4.5
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PandaHouston
Houston, TX6,120 contributions
Dec 2019
We came to Zenko-ji Temple in the afternoon on Tuesday December 31. We were staying at the Metropolitan Hotel in Nagano Station and bought the Snow Monkey Pass for 3600 yen per person. This Pass gave us unlimited use of the Nagano Dentetsu Line. We used this train for the quick 5 minute ride to the Zenkōjishita Station which is the closest to Zenkoji Temple. From the station, it is about a 10 minute walk. Entrance is free to the temple.
A lot of people combine this temple with the Snow Monkey Park since this temple is so easy to get to from Nagano Station and transportation is included with the Snow Monkey Pass.
The temple area isn't that large so we spent around 30 minutes there.
A lot of people combine this temple with the Snow Monkey Park since this temple is so easy to get to from Nagano Station and transportation is included with the Snow Monkey Pass.
The temple area isn't that large so we spent around 30 minutes there.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel_addict13_10
Australia622 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
We walked from the Station ( and the Hotel Metropolitan), enjoying the shops along the way. It was a half hour walk. Buses leave regularly for the temple. We caught a bus back and only about 150yen ( less than A$2). The temple complex is incredibly large. The main hall itself is one of the most imposing and inspiring that I have visited. Make sure to pay the 500 yen to go into the main hall and then down through the darkness of the tunnel beneath to experience the effect of letting go of worldly cares and feeling at peace in a type of meditation. Well worth the experience. Just outside the temple gate but still within the temple complex there are lots of little shops and some very enjoyable street food options. Take your time with this experience as there is so much to take in. This is claimed to be the site where the first Buddha image was brought to Japan from Korea in 550 and the main hall dates back to 1707.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hiroaki Kaneko
Tokyo, Japan5,260 contributions
May 2021
長野を代表する寺院の一つ。年間を通して国内外から多くの参拝客・観光客が訪れる。にもかかわらず境内は過度な観光地化はされておらず、国籍や年齢問わずほとんどの参拝客・観光客は比較的静かに参拝している。安置されている仏像は勿論のこと、多くの建物自体が国宝もしくは重要文化財に指定されている。
基本的に境内は無料で利用できるが、一部の建物内（本堂、経蔵、山門等）は入場料金が必要。各建物や安置されている仏像の案内には英語も併記されており、境内に常駐するガイドも必要に応じ英語で案内するため、海外からの観光客も安心して利用できる。
長野駅から2km程の距離があるため、バスなどの公共交通機関も整備されているが、特に苦にもならない緩やかな坂道である上に、参道や仲見世通りには店も多く立ち並んでいるため、徒歩で参拝する人も多い。
お勧めの季節は5月の新緑の季節。比較的人も少なく陽の光に照らされた新緑が素晴らしく、清々しい気持ちになれるだろう。お勧めの時間帯は夜。仲見世通り等の店は全て閉まっているが、その分休日でも人の姿はほとんどいない。ライトアップされた本堂を独り占めできるチャンスかもしれない。
It's one of the representative temples in Nagano. It is visited by many worshippers and tourists from home and abroad throughout the year. In spite of this, the temple grounds are not overly touristy, and most worshippers and tourists, regardless of nationality or age, worship in relative silence. In addition to the enshrined Buddhist statues, many of the buildings themselves have been designated as national treasures or important cultural properties.
Basically, you can use the temple for free, but some buildings (the main hall, sutra storehouse, temple gate, etc.) require an entrance fee. Information on each building and the Buddha statues enshrined therein is not only Japanese but also written in English, and guides stationed in the temple provide information in English when necessary, so tourists from overseas can use the temple with peace of mind.
It is about 2 km from Nagano Station, so while public transportation such as buses are available, the road to the temple is a gentle slope that is not particularly difficult, and many stores are lined on the approach and Nakamise Street, so many people visit the temple on foot.
It is about 2 km from Nagano Station, so while public transportation such as buses are available, the road to the temple is a gentle slope that is not particularly difficult, and many stores are lined on the approach and Nakamise Street, so many people visit the temple on foot.
My recommendation season to visit is during the fresh green season in May. There are relatively few people here, and the fresh greenery in the sunlight is wonderful and refreshing. The best time to visit is at night. All the stores on Nakamise Street are closed, but this means that even on holidays there are few people around. You may have a chance to see the main hall lit up all by yourself.
基本的に境内は無料で利用できるが、一部の建物内（本堂、経蔵、山門等）は入場料金が必要。各建物や安置されている仏像の案内には英語も併記されており、境内に常駐するガイドも必要に応じ英語で案内するため、海外からの観光客も安心して利用できる。
長野駅から2km程の距離があるため、バスなどの公共交通機関も整備されているが、特に苦にもならない緩やかな坂道である上に、参道や仲見世通りには店も多く立ち並んでいるため、徒歩で参拝する人も多い。
お勧めの季節は5月の新緑の季節。比較的人も少なく陽の光に照らされた新緑が素晴らしく、清々しい気持ちになれるだろう。お勧めの時間帯は夜。仲見世通り等の店は全て閉まっているが、その分休日でも人の姿はほとんどいない。ライトアップされた本堂を独り占めできるチャンスかもしれない。
It's one of the representative temples in Nagano. It is visited by many worshippers and tourists from home and abroad throughout the year. In spite of this, the temple grounds are not overly touristy, and most worshippers and tourists, regardless of nationality or age, worship in relative silence. In addition to the enshrined Buddhist statues, many of the buildings themselves have been designated as national treasures or important cultural properties.
Basically, you can use the temple for free, but some buildings (the main hall, sutra storehouse, temple gate, etc.) require an entrance fee. Information on each building and the Buddha statues enshrined therein is not only Japanese but also written in English, and guides stationed in the temple provide information in English when necessary, so tourists from overseas can use the temple with peace of mind.
It is about 2 km from Nagano Station, so while public transportation such as buses are available, the road to the temple is a gentle slope that is not particularly difficult, and many stores are lined on the approach and Nakamise Street, so many people visit the temple on foot.
It is about 2 km from Nagano Station, so while public transportation such as buses are available, the road to the temple is a gentle slope that is not particularly difficult, and many stores are lined on the approach and Nakamise Street, so many people visit the temple on foot.
My recommendation season to visit is during the fresh green season in May. There are relatively few people here, and the fresh greenery in the sunlight is wonderful and refreshing. The best time to visit is at night. All the stores on Nakamise Street are closed, but this means that even on holidays there are few people around. You may have a chance to see the main hall lit up all by yourself.
Written 13 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gail R
8 contributions
Dec 2019
Many hours, even a whole day, could be spent in the temple and exploring the grounds as well as in the neighborhood surrounding the temple. Our guide gave nice explanations of how to worship at the temple. Everyone should do the tunnel walk. The guardian gates are being remodeled so just a glimpse of the enormous figures could be obtained through the construction curtains. They looked amazing. The grounds are lovely with old pine trees and gardens. It was hard to find anyone who spoke english enough (or was willing?) to answer questions about the grounds. Despite it being December, many flowers and shrubs were in bloom adding to the beauty.
Written 31 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zfy Ed
Singapore, Singapore10,488 contributions
Dec 2022
Visitors to Nagano will surely not miss this attraction as it is the No.1 recommended place to visit. About a good 25 min walk from JR Nagano station, you will reach this massive, spectacular and beautiful curated temple and temple grounds. Do note that while walking here, it's like "walking up a gentle mountain slope", so a good walking pair of shoes is recommended.
The temple is huge and segregated into different sections and the main temple is the one that most visitors will visit and do their photoshoot. From the main entrance to the main temple ground, you will need to walk about 10-12mins, passing by the Nakamise-dōri Street, with shops located on both sides and mostly selling souvenirs of the temple and of Nagano, food, ice cream, cafe etc.
For Buddhists or local religious enthusiasts, this place is definitely worth a visit as you can learn a lot it's historical roots, developments over the centuries and may take quite a while as you may involve in some of the rituals. But for us, it's just an eye opening visiting experience to gain new insights.
There are also garden grounds around with greenery and you can relax and take a seat here.
From here, a short walk will lead you to the city museum of the art and park, which I will review separately!
The temple is huge and segregated into different sections and the main temple is the one that most visitors will visit and do their photoshoot. From the main entrance to the main temple ground, you will need to walk about 10-12mins, passing by the Nakamise-dōri Street, with shops located on both sides and mostly selling souvenirs of the temple and of Nagano, food, ice cream, cafe etc.
For Buddhists or local religious enthusiasts, this place is definitely worth a visit as you can learn a lot it's historical roots, developments over the centuries and may take quite a while as you may involve in some of the rituals. But for us, it's just an eye opening visiting experience to gain new insights.
There are also garden grounds around with greenery and you can relax and take a seat here.
From here, a short walk will lead you to the city museum of the art and park, which I will review separately!
Written 5 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Biffro
London, UK1,423 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This temple is absolutely beautiful and our favourite so far having visited many of the shrines and temples in Tokyo. There are much less tourists here which gives you the opportunity to savour and enjoy the surroundings. The template has been so well preserved and has lots of small shrines and a gate on the approach up to it with beautiful trees and plants and lanterns all around. There are also lots of little restaurants and places to buy souvenirs. We had a really enjoyable walk up to see this - 25 minutes from Nagano station and it was well worth the walk. A really beautiful place.
Written 12 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DREGS
Grafham, UK383 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We enjoyed our visit. Finding the key to Paradise in the pitch black is a experience - not only does it show you how a blind person feels but also it is worth it for the atmosphere. The Buddhist praying area is very calm and they keep the place very keen in the Main hall so walking in stocking feet as you carry your shoes around in a bag is not a issue. Beware the initial steps down into the corridor with the key is dimly lit and the first steps are steep and deep.
The gardens are beautiful and there are plenty of places to have food - we took a bento box in with us and found a quit spot .
Plenty of loos around and opportunities abound for buying souvenirs, fortune telling and food.
It’s easy to find and if you take a bus it saves time but if not it’s an easy walk from the station.
The gardens are beautiful and there are plenty of places to have food - we took a bento box in with us and found a quit spot .
Plenty of loos around and opportunities abound for buying souvenirs, fortune telling and food.
It’s easy to find and if you take a bus it saves time but if not it’s an easy walk from the station.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan S
Brisbane, Australia13 contributions
Feb 2020
Easy walk from the train station, we went late afternoon and enjoyed stopping in at food places along the way and then an icecream just outside the temple itself. It was later at night for the walk back and we loved the lights in the street trees. My husband said the visit to Nagano was one of his highlights of our trip. It was a nice pace for the walk and look around.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GintamaZ
California2,790 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
The ground is vast at Zenkoji. It is a worthwhile visit while in Nagano.
The dark passage was an experience and enlightening, if you try to appreciate the hidden meaning of the journey.
There is a lively street of eateries and souvernir shops outside the temple.
The dark passage was an experience and enlightening, if you try to appreciate the hidden meaning of the journey.
There is a lively street of eateries and souvernir shops outside the temple.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda
Hanc, France226 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
part of a day visit but we'll worth it. we had a local guide who spoke good English and told all the stories about the temple.
we paid extra to go into the temple and down In the tunnel. this is in complete darkness, you have to feel the wall with your left hand to find the handle of happiness. completely safe no surprises.
as with temples you have to take your shoes off, the staff give you bags to put shoes in.
we paid extra to go into the temple and down In the tunnel. this is in complete darkness, you have to feel the wall with your left hand to find the handle of happiness. completely safe no surprises.
as with temples you have to take your shoes off, the staff give you bags to put shoes in.
Written 10 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the latest check in?
We want to check in after dinner, and experience activities following day.
Written 7 October 2023
Can I purchase a Goshuin stamp book at the temple?
Written 6 December 2017
Yes, on the way to the main temple building, there are several spots selling various kinds of Goshuin. And they sell Goshuin stamp book as well to collect them.
Written 7 December 2017
How far is the Zenko-ji Temple from the Yuyado Sekiya Ryokan. I am planning to stay at the Yuyado Sekiya Ryokan and would like to visit the Zenko-ji Temple also.
Written 13 May 2017
Hi!!
It`s about 30 km with car and the ride takes about 40 - 45 min
Written 13 May 2017
① 長野駅を起点にすると、駅前からバスが出ていますので、善光寺への往復で利用するのが便利です。② 健脚の方は、歩いても片道30分位あれば十分に行くことができます。③ 善光寺に行くのはやや上り坂なので、長野駅から善光寺へ行くときにバスを使い、帰りは中央通りを歩きながら、ウインドウショッピングを楽しむ手もあります。
Written 30 May 2015
伊那からのバスの便は、よくわかりません。(調査要) でも、長野駅を起点に考えるのならば、長野駅から善光寺まで路線バスが出ていますので、それを活用すれば良いと思います。途中は色々な店がありますので、ウインド・ショッピングを楽しむのも良いと思います。
Written 30 May 2015
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