Zenko-ji Temple

Visit the historic Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples. With a history spanning over 1,400 years, this sacred site offers a peaceful spiritual atmosphere, striking wooden architecture, and a unique underground passage experience that symbolizes rebirth.

Located in the heart of Nagano City, Zenko-ji is a revered pilgrimage site that welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds. Founded in the 7th century, the temple enshrines what is believed to be the first Buddhist statue ever brought to Japan — the “Ikkō Sanzon”—though” the original image is hidden from public view and only revealed once every seven years during a sacred ceremony called Gokaicho.

As you enter the temple grounds, you’ll be awed by the massive wooden main hall (hondō), designated a National Treasure of Japan. The hall is intricately crafted, exuding spiritual energy and old-world beauty. Its grand scale and design reflect the enduring importance of Zenko-ji to Japanese culture and religion.

One of the most fascinating and symbolic parts of a visit is walking through the okaidan meguri, the pitch-black underground passage beneath the main altar. As visitors feel their way in complete darkness, the objective is to locate the “key to paradise”—a” metal latch attached to the wall — believed to grant spiritual enlightenment and rebirth to those who find it.