← English guide home
Buddhist Temple📍 Nagano, Japan
Zenkō-ji Temple
善光寺
Zenko-ji in Nagano is a beloved non-sectarian temple said to house Japan's oldest Buddhist image, a hidden statue never shown to the public. Pilgrims descend into a pitch-dark underground passage beneath the main hall to touch the 'key to paradise,' and a copy of the image is displayed in a grand ceremony held every several years.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Goshuin at Zenkō-ji Temple
| 善光寺 本堂 御朱印 | ¥500 | Year-round |
| 大勧進 不動尊 御朱印 | ¥500 | Year-round |
Prices from ¥500. Bring cash — cards are rarely accepted at shrine offices.
Access
New to goshuin? Read how to receive one and the etiquette guide first. Details can change — please confirm with the official site before visiting.