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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
- Admission
- ¥800 adult/university (Naijin-ken ticket: inner sanctuary + Okaidan Meguri + treasure hall); ¥300 grades 7-12, ¥100 grades 1-6, preschool free; outer sanctuary/grounds free. Next Gokaicho hidden-Buddha replica display is Apr 4–Jun 19, 2027, not 2026.
- Nearest station
- Zenkoji-shita Station (Nagano Dentetsu line)
- Website
- zenkoji.jp
Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.
Today
6:00–16:00Admission
- ¥800 adult/university (Naijin-ken ticket: inner sanctuary + Okaidan Meguri + treasure hall); ¥300 grades 7-12, ¥100 grades 1-6, preschool free; outer sanctuary/grounds free. Next Gokaicho hidden-Buddha replica display is Apr 4–Jun 19, 2027, not 2026.
Stored weekly hours
Daily 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
How to get there
4-5 min by rail from Nagano Station then 5-10 min walk; or ~25 min walk/bus direct from Nagano Station.
Tags
templepilgrimagehistory
Location
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