Zenkoji Temple

Religious spot
★ 4.9 (9K+ reviews) • 2K+ booked
Immerse yourself in the rich history and spiritual significance of Zenkoji Temple Nagano, a 1400-year-old pilgrimage shrine nestled in the picturesque valley of Nagano city. Explore the hidden treasures, ancient serenity, and mystical world of this iconic temple, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for travelers seeking spiritual enlightenment and cultural immersion.
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Zenkoji Temple, Nagano-Shinano Line, Hakoshimizu 1-chome, Ise Town, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

The best of Zenkoji Temple

Bucket-list experiences

Private Car Tour from Niigata/Myoko or Nagano

Private Car Tour from Niigata/Myoko or Nagano

English guide
Private tour
Private group
Free cancellation
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★ 4.9 (12) • 200+ booked
From £ 116.05
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

English guide
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
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★ 4.9 (143) • 2K+ booked
From £ 114.40
Nagano Snow Monkeys and Cherry Blossoms Day Tour

Nagano Snow Monkeys and Cherry Blossoms Day Tour

English guide
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
50+ booked
£ 115.75
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun In Shiga Kogen

1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun In Shiga Kogen

English guide
Free cancellation
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★ 5.0 (32) • 500+ booked
£ 141.75
Snow Monkey Park & Miso Production Bus Tour from Nagano/Tokyo

Snow Monkey Park & Miso Production Bus Tour from Nagano/Tokyo

English guide
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
From £ 139.39
Zenkoji Experience Tour with Overnight 'Shukubo' Temple Lodging Stay

Zenkoji Experience Tour with Overnight 'Shukubo' Temple Lodging Stay

English guide
Afternoon departure
Free cancellation
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★ 4.5 (4)
£ 172.40
2-Day Snow Monkey Tour: Nagano To Takayama via Matsumoto

2-Day Snow Monkey Tour: Nagano To Takayama via Matsumoto

English guide
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
£ 572.09
Jigokudani Monkey Park, Zenkoji, & Matsumoto Castle Private Day Tour

Jigokudani Monkey Park, Zenkoji, & Matsumoto Castle Private Day Tour

English guide
Private tour
Private group
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
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New Activity
£ 565.59
Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

English guide
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (4)
£ 115.75
Jigokudani Monkey Park & Zenkoji Temple Private Day Trip

Jigokudani Monkey Park & Zenkoji Temple Private Day Trip

English guide
Private tour
Private group
Free cancellation
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New Activity
£ 572.09
Kyoto-Tofukuji, Shourinji, Shin-Zenkoji Temple Goshuin Walking Tour

Kyoto-Tofukuji, Shourinji, Shin-Zenkoji Temple Goshuin Walking Tour

English guide
Private tour
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
New Activity
From £ 158.65
Nagano Area Private Ski Lessons

Nagano Area Private Ski Lessons

English guide
Morning
Up to 3 hrs
Book now for tomorrow
From £ 396.35

Make it a getaway

Zenkoji Temple Yakuoin

Zenkoji Temple Yakuoin

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★ 4.0 (5)
£ 99.99
Temple Hotel Takayama Zenkoji

Temple Hotel Takayama Zenkoji

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★ 4.5 (35)
From £ 122.68
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi

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★ 4.3 (1,005)
From £ 40.78
£ 42.84
Toyoko Inn Nagano Station Zenkoji

Toyoko Inn Nagano Station Zenkoji

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★ 4.0 (547)
From £ 49.91
Nagano Tokyu REI Hotel

Nagano Tokyu REI Hotel

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★ 4.5 (884)
From £ 48.11
Hotel Metropolitan Nagano

Hotel Metropolitan Nagano

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★ 4.5 (939)
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Dormy Inn Nagano Zenkounoyu Natural Hot Spring

Dormy Inn Nagano Zenkounoyu Natural Hot Spring

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Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano

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Hotel JAL City Nagano

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Chisun Grand Nagano

Chisun Grand Nagano

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Hotel Courtland

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★ 4.0 (517)
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Smile Hotel Nagano

Smile Hotel Nagano

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★ 3.8 (32)
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The Saihokukan Hotel

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Why people love Zenkoji Temple

4.9 /5
9K+ reviews
Read all reviews
鄧 **
18 Feb
Thank you to the tour guide Yama and the driver for their competent and friendly service, which allowed everyone (a total of 17 people in our group) to have a wonderful day. The whole itinerary was arranged smoothly, especially the lunch. The meal was delicious and the environment was warm and elegant. I also had my own time at Zenkoji Temple. The wine tasting at Nishimon allowed me to buy my favorite plum wine and miso. I was very happy! Thanks
2+
Siew ********
16 Feb
This is barely a 5min walk from Nagano Station. There's even a connecting bridge on the 2nd floor. Thank you for the complimentary room upgrade by the hotel too. Totally enjoyed our stay there. Super convenient location - Donki is just across the road. If you're heading to Togakushi-Jinja, the Alpico bus stop is also just across the road next to the hotel.
Klook 用戶
16 Feb
The itinerary was well arranged, the meals were well arranged, and the guide's humor and professionalism added to the value of this trip.
2+
Klook User
16 Feb
One of our most memorable days from our current trip in Japan! Everything was smooth and we had a lot of fun! We started by going to see the monkeys in the morning (which was great because it was less crowded). The lunch provided was great (we could choose beef/seafood/vegetarian for the main dish). The temple and the sake tasting were next to each other in Nagano so we only needed three long transfers by bus (about 1 hr each). Our guide Lindsay gave us plenty of context for both the monkey park and the temple and she facilitated the sake tasting (we sampled around 10 types of drinks). She was friendly, approachable for extra questions and very knowledgeable on the tour attractions and more from around Japan. I highly recommend this tour!
Klook User
13 Feb
Chisun Grand hotel is a 10 minute walk from Nagano station. We stayed for a night and the room is pretty roomy compared to Tokyo hotels. You can also pass a conbini nearby otw to the hotel.
Klook User
8 Feb
I'm not very interested in the temple itinerary in the morning, but the sake experience nearby is still good. The sukiyaki and sushi set meals arranged for lunch are very delicious. The monkeys in the park in the afternoon are very cute~
1+
Ting *********
2 Feb
Shin-san was very nice and knowledgable! It was a big group of around 35 people, which they then split into two groups, but did not feel left out or overlooked despite the group size. There was ample time to walk and explore, which is nice. Bus was comfortable too. Overall, highly recommend the tour!
Valerie ***
2 Feb
Our tour guides Shin-san and Endo-san were great and ensured the whole tour ran smoothly. Great tour itinerary that allows you to see the key attractions in Nagano within a day. The lunch included in the tour was also delicious, located in a beautiful restaurant. Highly recommend!
2+

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FAQs about Zenkoji Temple

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What to know before visiting Zenkoji Temple

Remarkable Landmarks and Must-Visit Sights

Main Hall

Explore the Main Hall of Zenkoji, a functional temple that houses the enshrined images of the Amida Buddha. Witness the daily morning ritual conducted by the high priest or priestess and experience the spiritual ambiance of this sacred space.

Gardens of Zenkō-ji

Stroll through the tranquil Gardens of Zenkō-ji, a serene oasis that offers a peaceful retreat for visitors. Admire the beauty of the natural surroundings and immerse yourself in the contemplative atmosphere of the temple grounds.

Sanmon Gate

Marvel at the Sanmon Gate, an Important Cultural Property that houses wooden Buddhist statues and a plaque with hidden doves. Experience the rich history and architectural grandeur of this iconic gate.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Zenkoji Temple holds a sacred statue of the Amida-Nyorai buddha, gifted to Japan by a Korean king, symbolizing the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties between the two countries. Explore the temple's intricate architecture and spiritual practices that have attracted millions of visitors over the centuries.

Local Cuisine

Indulge in the flavors of Nagano city, known for its delicious local dishes such as apple-based delicacies and traditional Japanese cuisine. Experience the unique culinary offerings that reflect the region's agricultural heritage and culinary traditions.