Duration: | 2 Day(s) - 1 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Pilgrimage |
2 Day Tour To Zenkoji
Nagano's Zenkoji Temple is one of the most important and popular temples in Japan. It was founded in the 7th century and stores the first Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan when Buddhism was first introduced in the 6th century. The original statue is hidden while a copy of it is shown to the public every six years for a few weeks.
The significance of Zenkoji to the development of Nagano was instrumental: many major Japanese cities have evolved either from castle towns, harbor towns, or temple towns. In the case of Nagano, it grew from a temple town that developed around its time of great importance, Zenkoji.
Most recently rebuilt in 1707, Zenkoji's main hall is nicely ornamented and contains various Buddhist statues. A fee is required to enter the hall's inner chamber, where visitors can take a closer look at the temple's main altar. In the basement of the inner chamber is an underground passage, which visitors walk through in complete darkness in search of the "key to paradise". The key is attached to a wall along the corridor and is believed to grant salvation to anybody who touches it.
A short walk behind the main hall stands a relatively recently built pagoda that houses the Zenkoji History Museum. The museum showcases a collection of intricately carved statues of different Buddhas and Bodhisattva, allowing one to appreciate up-close the characteristics of each. There is also a display of 100 Rakan, the disciples of Buddha.
Day 1: Departure from home country
From Haneda or Narita go to Nagano
Day 2: Arrival / Zenkoji
From Nagano Station, take a bus to Zenkoji. Zenkoji's main hall is nicely ornamented and contains various Buddhist statues. A fee is required to enter the hall's inner chamber, where visitors can take a closer look at the temple's main altar. In the basement of the inner chamber is an underground passage, which visitors walk through in complete darkness in search of the "key to paradise". The key is attached to a wall along the corridor and is believed to grant salvation to anybody who touches it.
Rates Include:
-Accommodation in a hotel.
-Transportation and transfers
-1 bottle of mineral water per day
Rates do not include:
-Transportation (from airport to Kyoto)
-guide
-Meals except described
-Alcoholic beverages
-Travel insurance
-Tips and portage