Zenkoji Temple Yakuoin

It was a beautiful little temple in the middle of town. We walked there and enjoyed the stroll. On the way, there are lots of cute shops and boutiques to see, and if you can, take a left afterward and wander through the park.

We went in the snow, so the garden ponds were frozen. Along the way, we enjoyed the pretty drain covers and decorative street lamps. Zenkoji temple is about a 2 km walk or bus ride from Nagano station, with impressive temple buildings and gateways and lovely gardens to see. Between the gate and the main temple, there are food spots selling things like hot sweet potato, oyaki, and ice creams. We didn’t have much time, so we skipped the ticketed interior, but I’d be happy to come back and explore another day.

It was very quiet when I visited this beautiful temple. We bought tickets for the main hall and museum, and the pitch-black passage was quite an experience. You follow the wall with one hand as your only guide, and it really is completely dark. I’m not religious at all, but if you’re open to it, the experience can feel quite spiritual.

Nearly in the heart of Nagano, this place feels magical. It can get crowded, so morning is the best time. There are plenty of small eateries and cafes on the way to the temple. After your visit, you can go see the " snow monkeys" about an hour from Nagano. The hike up is easy, and the scenery is beautiful.