Zenkoji Temple

Religious spot
★ 4.9 (8K+ 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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491-イ, Motoyoshichō Nagano, 380-0851, Japan

The best of Zenkoji Temple

Bucket-list experiences

Zenkoji Experience Tour with Overnight 'Shukubo' Temple Lodging Stay

Zenkoji Experience Tour with Overnight 'Shukubo' Temple Lodging Stay

Afternoon departure
English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (4)
NZ$ 378.25
Winter Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake

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

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
NZ$ 253.89
2-Day Snow Monkey Tour: Nagano To Takayama via Matsumoto

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

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
NZ$ 1,255.15
Private Car Tour from Niigata/Myoko or Nagano

Private Car Tour from Niigata/Myoko or Nagano

Private tour
English available
Private group
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
★ 4.7 (3) • New Activity
From NZ$ 242.49
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

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

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.9 (122) • 2K+ booked
From NZ$ 248.60
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun In Shiga Kogen

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

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (22) • 400+ booked
NZ$ 310.95
Snow Monkey Park & Miso Production Bus Tour from Nagano/Tokyo

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

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
From NZ$ 305.79
2-Day Snow Monkeys and Kusatsu Onsen Tour from Shinjuku
NZ$ 524.89
Nagano Snow Monkeys and Cherry Blossoms Day Tour

Nagano Snow Monkeys and Cherry Blossoms Day Tour

English available
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
50+ booked
NZ$ 253.89
Nagano Area Private Ski Lessons

Nagano Area Private Ski Lessons

Morning departure
Up to 3 hrs
English available
Private group
Book now for tomorrow
New Activity
From NZ$ 916.75

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Zenkoji Temple Yakuoin

Zenkoji Temple Yakuoin

Instant confirmation
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Temple Hotel Takayama Zenkoji

Instant confirmation
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Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano-Zenkojiguchi

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Toyoko Inn Nagano Station Zenkoji

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TENNEN-ONSEN HOTEL LiVEMAX PREMIUM Nagano-ekimae

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Why people love Zenkoji Temple

4.9 /5
8K+ reviews
Read all reviews
Salina *******
4 Jan
incredible day. guided were great. So many Snow Monkey’s. thoroughly recommend- though buy ice shoes as it’s very slippery.
Пользователь Klook
4 Jan
we had an amazing day! The guides were very nice and knowledgeable, great lunch location as part of this tour, worth the price. If you are going in winter prepare good winter boots, we saw many people struggling to go up to the monkey onsen because they were wearing sneakers.
EE ********
4 Jan
eeing the snow monkeys were indeed the highlight of the tour. However, the trip to Zenko-ji was another highlight as this 7th century temple is beautiful. With the folklore shared out by Kay regarding the temple (my groups’s tour guide for first half of the tour), it made joining the tour worthwhile vs visiting such a historical site on your own. The other highlight worth mentioning was lunch at Hotaru-Tei was simply fantastic and delicious. The Snow Monkey Park experience is worth the 25 mins hike up. Beware of falling snow from the trees during winter season, although they add onto the overall experience + the scenery was straight out of a movie set. Do be in appropriate shoes when hiking up during snowy season as the trail is iced up with a mix of sleet + snow + mud. Seeing the monkeys uncaged, roaming freely and dipping in the onsen made the trip worthwhile. The monkeys are very calm around the crowd but do take heed of the advice provided by the tour guided! This tour is highly recommended!
2+
Usuario de Klook
1 Jan
Amazing day with a very nice meal followed by the spectacular Monkey Park. Tour guides were very nice and friendly. Strongly recommend.
2+
SHIAO ****************
27 Dec 2024
highlight was definitely the snow monkeys! So wonderful experience to see them in their zone, soaking in the onsen and wandering around the humans. Hahaha. Lunch provided was also in a beautiful restaurant and the hotpot was soooo good.
2+
Klook User
27 Dec 2024
we had an experience of a lifetime! Yama our tour guide was awesome. and the monkey park was unreal. Highly recommend this tour. easy to get to from Tokyo as well!
2+
Klook User
23 Dec 2024
what an amazing tour! the guide were amazing and friendly. The Japanese lunch was delicious and the highlight of the tour was numerous snow monkeys in the onsen the day we went. Please put on snow boots to prevent slipping as the trails can be slippery and you dnt wanna slip your way to the monkeys😅😅. Highly recommended. Thanks mica our guide for an amazing tour.
2+
ANNA ************
17 Dec 2024
Teddy was an amazing tour guide. He gave us information about the temple and snow monkeys. Nabe was so good! I like that the group was not too big.
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.