Located only 20 minutes walk from Nagano Station, Zenkoji is one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples. The importance of Zenkoji is reflected by the large number of ‘shukubo’ (temple lodgings) within the complex and surrounding streets. For centuries, the temple has acted as a focal point for pilgrims and devotees traveling from across Japan and in more recent years, from abroad. In doing so, visitors to Zenkoji can stay within or around the temple complex, extending their time there and deepening their understanding of Japanese Buddhism.

A ‘shukubo’ is basically a ‘ryokan’, a traditional guesthouse providing lodging to visitors to nearby or within temple and shrine complexes. In the past, they provided accommodation to people on pilgrimages, a function they still serve today. However, you don’t need to a devotee of any particular faith or on pilgrimage yourself to enjoy staying at one. Offering traditional comforts, tranquility and vegetarian menus, anyone is welcome to stay at a shukubo. Should they wish to, guests can participate in activities including a ‘goma’ prayer (fire ceremony), ‘shakyo’ (brush meditation) or ‘zazen’ (seated meditation) along with attendance at the temple’s daily ‘O-Asaji’ (morning ceremony).

As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo Station, Nagano is easy to reach – taking between 80 to 110 minutes from the capital (depending on which service you choose). As such, Nagano City is the most convenient hub from where to reach the most popular attractions and destinations in the region including the forest shrine of Togakushi, hidden samurai enclave of Matsushiro, the Jigokudani Monkey Park, Matsumoto along with the best ski resorts in Nagano and iconic destinations including the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route.

2 Day Tour

Tea Ceremony and Zenkoji Experience Tour with ‘Shukubo’ Stay
Period	All Year Round
Time	12:15-16:30
Meeting Place	Nagano Station
Adult Rate	¥33,800
Child Rate	¥26,800

For guests wanting to include a stay a shukubo inside the Zenkoji Temple complex, we offer two tours: the first is the Tea Ceremony and Zenkoji Experience Tour, as listed above. This tour packs a lot of Japanese culture into a short time period with a tea ceremony, sake tasting, and Buddhist fire ceremony all included. At each of these locations your guide will explain the meaning and history behind each custom, and will also help you communicate with the locals who operate these experiences. At the end of the day, you will check in to your room at the shukubo, where you can eat an early lunch and get a good night’s sleep – necessary if you want to join the early morning fire ceremony the next day!

2 Day Tour

2-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Samurai Experience & Zenkoji ‘Shukubo’ Stay
Period	All Year Round
Time	Day1: 11:45-17:45 Day2: 09:55-17:35
Meeting Place	Nagano Station
Adult Rate	¥48,000 ~

The second tour on offer includes of course the shukubo stay, but unlike the above offering spreads over two days and includes samurai training at a real samurai dojo, as well as a visit to the Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani, one of Nagano’s biggest attractions. This tour is a great way to escape the city for a short while and see more of the deep culture Japan has to offer.

Available all-year-round, both tours offer guests a memorable experience including overnight accommodation at one of Japan’s oldest and most important temple complexes.