Travel in Nagano
Zenkoji Temple
Zenkoji Temple · 善光寺
Walk along Nakamise to reach Zenkoji's grounds and main hall. An inner sanctuary/Okaidan ticket lets you visit the main hall's inner sanctuary and the dark underground Okaidan passage. Allow time for these interior visits as well as your walk through Nakamise and the temple grounds.
Zenkoji: seasonal inner sanctuary hours and 28 December exception Official sources Official sources
Visitor information
Admission
Grounds and the outer main-hall area are free. Inner sanctuary/Okaidan/Zenkoji History Museum ticket: adults/university students ¥800; junior/senior high students (grades 7–12) ¥300; elementary students (grades 1–6) ¥100; preschool children free. Coverage differs from the ¥1,500 adult set ticket. Check included spaces if also visiting Sanmon's upper floor.
Opening hours
Inner sanctuary/Okaidan visits begin one hour before the morning service. Closing is 16:30 April–October, 16:15 March/November and 16:00 December–February. Morning service times vary by date; grounds are listed as open all day. Basic Kyozo and history museum hours are 09:00–16:00.
What to see at Zenkoji Temple
Inner sanctuary and dark underground passage
With an inner sanctuary/Okaidan ticket, you can worship in the main hall's inner sanctuary and then follow the dark underground passage. Set aside time for both, in addition to your walk through Nakamise and the temple grounds.
Zenkoji: visitor information Zenkoji: English visitor information
How to get to Zenkoji Temple
Take a Zenkoji-bound bus from Nagano Station Zenkoji Exit bus bay 1. Get off at Zenkoji Daimon and walk approximately five minutes to the main hall. The temple's approximately fifteen-minute ride guidance excludes waiting and walking after alighting.
Visiting tips
Check ticket coverage for Sanmon's upper floor
Grounds and the outer main-hall area are free; inner sanctuary/Okaidan and Sanmon upper-floor visits are paid. Do not assume an inner sanctuary/Okaidan ticket includes Sanmon. Choose a ticket covering your desired areas.
28 December inner sanctuary and Kyozo guidance
Every 28 December, inner sanctuary admission ends with the morning service. The KYOZO scripture storehouse has a suspension notice for inspection of the ageing building; check official notices if planning to visit it.
Questions about Zenkoji Temple
Does a Zenkoji main-hall ticket include Sanmon's upper floor?
Inner sanctuary/Okaidan and Sanmon upper-floor tickets are distinct. To see both, check each ticket's areas, including set-ticket coverage.
Official sources
- Zenkoji: seasonal inner sanctuary hours and 28 December exception ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Zenkoji: visitor information ·
- Zenkoji: access ·
Reviewed on: