Snow Monkey Town Syunran no Yado Sakaeya
Nagano's Zenkoji Temple
Zenkoji is one of the most important, magnificent and popular temples in Japan and is one of the main tourist spots in Nagano. Many people come to watch the ordination rites of priests! It is believed to have been founded in the mid-7th century, so its history spans 1,400 years, and it houses the first Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan when Buddhism was first introduces in the 6th century. The image of the Buddha enshrined here is known as Ikko-Sanzon-Nyorai, and consists of a statue of Amida-Nyorai presiding over the Land of Happiness (believed to be the Buddhist paradise of the afterlife).
The original statue is hidden (for religious reasons, and images are not usually put on display) while a copy of it is shown to the public every six years for about two months. The next opportunity will be in 2021! And it is believed that a visit there once in a lifetime will ensure passage into the Land of Happiness!
The significance of Zenkoji to the development of Nagano was instrumental: many major Japanese cities have evolved either from castle towns, harbour towns or temple towns. In the case of Nagano, it grew from a temple town that developed around its temples of great importance, Zenkoji !Behind the San-mon Gate is the main temple designated as a national treasure! It was rebuilt in 1707 and is the third largest wooden structure in Japan!
Right underneath the altar is a dark tunnel where you can experience going through the ordination platform designed for use during the ordination rites of the priests. Along the way you can try to find, and touch, the key said to be the key to paradise! Many deities are enshrined in the temple, including Nure-Botoke, which is said to protect children.
The original statue is hidden (for religious reasons, and images are not usually put on display) while a copy of it is shown to the public every six years for about two months. The next opportunity will be in 2021! And it is believed that a visit there once in a lifetime will ensure passage into the Land of Happiness!
The significance of Zenkoji to the development of Nagano was instrumental: many major Japanese cities have evolved either from castle towns, harbour towns or temple towns. In the case of Nagano, it grew from a temple town that developed around its temples of great importance, Zenkoji !Behind the San-mon Gate is the main temple designated as a national treasure! It was rebuilt in 1707 and is the third largest wooden structure in Japan!
Right underneath the altar is a dark tunnel where you can experience going through the ordination platform designed for use during the ordination rites of the priests. Along the way you can try to find, and touch, the key said to be the key to paradise! Many deities are enshrined in the temple, including Nure-Botoke, which is said to protect children.
