Zenkoji Temple is a very venerable temple that has been in existence for about 1,400 years. It is one of the most famous temples in Japan that attracts many worshippers from all over the world, especially since it has a history of widely accepting people as a nondenominational temple that does not belong to any particular sect. In the Edo period (1603-1867), so many people visited the temple that it was said, “Once in a lifetime, you must visit Zenkoji Temple. It has long been believed that if one visits Zenkoji even just once, he or she is guaranteed to live a life of paradise.

After visiting Zenkoji Temple, enjoy a sake brewery tour at a sake brewery built in the Meiji period. The factory tour hall offers a window into the sake brewing process, allowing visitors to learn about the steps involved in making sake.

The site of Zenkoji Temple's Nyorai-do Hall, which was relocated due to a fire, is now the site of the Zenkoji Temple's Nyorai-do Hall. The Nakamise Street of Zenkoji Temple has been bustling with activity since the medieval period, when street vendors and freak shows began to open on the site where Zenkoji's Nyorai-do Hall was relocated due to a fire. Recently, the number of stalls selling not only souvenirs and Nagano Prefecture's famous oyaki and dango, but also pudding and ice cream, which are popular among children, has increased, making the area a fun place to stroll for men and women of all ages. Please stop at any store that catches your attention and enjoy!

*This is an optional tour You can experience making oyaki, a specialty of Nagano Prefecture, in a traditional hearth. Oyaki is made by mixing wheat flour and buckwheat flour with water or hot water, kneading it into a thin, flaky crust, and baking it with seasonal ingredients such as red bean paste and vegetables. Oyaki made in the traditional way has a very gentle flavor, and is a local dish that you should definitely try when you come to Japan.