Walk around Zenko-ji in Nagano City

During my four years living in Nagano City, I lived close to Zenko-ji. And every season, it looks and feels different. From the beautiful sakura leaves blooming in April. The lotus flowers opening in the lake gardens in June. The rainbow of autumn colors falling down over the temple. And, my favorite is the colorful illumination light festival in December. Within this guide: Transportation how to get there 🚐🏃 Activities in and around Zenkoji🎨 Recommended gifts to buy 💮 Food 🍜 Where to stay around Zenkoji

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Transportation

From Nagano Station, walk towards Chuo Dori Street and walk straight for 30 minutes.

Or go to Bus Platform #1 and get on the Zenkoji Temple Bus. It takes 15 mini for ¥190 yen.

Activities

Zenkōji temple

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Japan's national treasure and the third largest temple. Walk through the original architect of the temple grounds since the 7th century.

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There is an under-pathway you are allowed to walk through for about ¥500. Following down the stairs, it leads to a deep, dark path to the "Key to Paradise" and the hidden Nyorai statue.

Nihon-chūreiden (Zenkōji History Museum)

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Look through the beginnings of Zenkoji history and see some special solo exhibitions, including a sand mandala gift made by the 14th Dalai Lama.

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Nagano Prefectural Art Museum

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Collection and exhibition of beautiful art by local artists showing the beauty of Nagano. As well as special exhibitions of famous anime and manga artists. Check the website before you go, though most of the information is in Japanese.

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Shopping

Temple Goods Office, Zenkōji Temple

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Get your good luck charms and some unique special charms for everyday life, and try your hand at a paper fortune from an omikuji. I recommend buying a shrine stamp, a most unusual souvenir to return home.

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In most of my guides, I recommended buying a shrine stamp, especially the seasonal stamps.

It is one of the unique things you can buy when traveling in Japan and not one of my most common souvenier.

Also, it is an easy souvenir to carry, and you won't have to worry about the weight of your luggage.

Zenkōji Nakamise Street

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There is a wide variety of souvenir shops, fresh local street food, and traditional soba restaurants along the main path to Zenkoji Main Hall.

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滝屋本店

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It is much more than just a souvenir shop; you can also sit down, eat local snacks such as potato bun and oyaki, and drink hot tea outside and inside the shop.

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Sumikkogurashi-dō, Nakamisedōri-ten

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Like most specialized anime stores, it has special region items; for instance, Nagano is famous for apples, so they created Sumikko apple-themed items. Including ningyo-yaki (mini bean & custard cakes) and boba tea with syrup whipped cream. It is a bit of a wait to get one, but it's a perfect snack to eat on your way to the main temple.

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Yawataya Isogoro Main Store

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Locally made in Nagano by one of the oldest spice companies in Japan. Their 7-spice blend creates the famous Shichimi togarashi in Japan. This spice blend is commonly used in many Japanese dishes and healing remedies.

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Restaurants & Cafe

尾張屋そば店 - Owariya Soba

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Opened for over 100 years, it is one of the most popular restaurants along Nakamise Street. Though a bit pricy, the quality of the popular hot soba tempura outweighs the price. For a quick snack, I suggest trying tamagoyaki. There is no English menu, but there are pictures provided of how the meals look.

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十割そば大善 - Juwari Daizen Soba

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A 9-minute walk from Zenkoji, try cold soba with a set meal. It's unusual from the typical hot soba but perfect on a hot day. An English menu is provided so you can try out the many delicious hot and cold foods.

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Arteria Bakery

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They make the most delicious melon bread, fresh from the oven. I love their different flavors and seasonal dessert breads.

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Lodgings

Matsuya Ryokan

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Right on Zenkoji Nakamise Street, this spacious ryokan is convenient for big groups to experience a traditional Japanese breakfast and dinner. They do accept people with tattoos. Not far from the subway or any convenience stores.

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DOT HOSTEL NAGANO

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It is affordable, close to the main downtown, and a 2-minute walk to the entrance to Zenkoji Temple gates. I enjoyed my time there and had fun meeting new people, especially interesting those running the place are university students.

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Chuoukan Shimizuya Ryokan

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Dorm-style ryokan for those traveling in small groups or solo traveling. It is in the middle of downtown and is the perfect place to walk to Zenkoji and explore the downtown area easily. Based on reviews, I recommend contacting them to guarantee getting a room, but they only speak Japanese.

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Check out other of my guides

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Escritor Explorer

💫Hello! My name is Nataly Zaragoza, also known as Escritor Explorer on Instagram. I have traveled for over six years and will continue to travel with my love of food 🌮and history.🏰The best way to travel, in my opinion, is to get off the big roads and go towards the small, narrow streets and get lost. That is how I found the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants! I have lived in Japan for over five years. I spent a year in Tokyo🗼as a student and four years in the mountain prefecture of Nagano🍜. So there will be more guides in Japan than in other places. Besides my deep expertise in Japan, from traveling to most prefectures of Japan — to the most popular sites and hidden gems. Thailand🪷, South Korea🍖, and England💂🏻 are the many other insights I have from my travels, including traveling in my home state of California.🐻 Immerse yourself in the digital travel guides on the right side here. ➡️ Knowing you are getting from a local traveler, including my personal favorites: Food 🍜 History 🏰 Shrines & temples - especially the shrine stamps ⛩️(Of course 😁) Museums Hiking⛰️ & the nerd culture Each of my guides includes tips to be mindful of culture — in other words, ways to not stick out like a typical tourist, including my personal experiences and navigating the city and countryside. Never hesitate to ask any questions, and if you like, you can also book with me and create your own personal and unique travel plans to make your memorial trip.

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