快速踊り子, CC BY-SA 4.0

Zenkoji Temple

善光寺

Nagano · Chubu

A 7th-century Buddhist temple predating Japan's sectarian split, built around a hidden Buddha statue (hibutsu) never shown to anyone, reputedly the first Buddhist image brought to Japan. Famous for the pitch-black Okaidan Meguri corridor beneath the altar, where visitors feel along the wall for a 'key to paradise'.

Crowd level: Popular
Rating: 4.5· 26,633 reviews
Opening hours: Daily 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Nearest station: Zenkoji-shita Station (Nagano Dentetsu line)
Phone: 026-234-3591