Zenkoji Temple is home to a number of Buddhist rituals and ceremonies, some of which are only held every few years and some which occur every day. While Buddhist visitors to Japan may be most keen to engage in these rituals, anyone with an interest in learning about different cultures can benefit from observing Japanese Buddhist rituals.

— Where is Zenkoji?

— The Rosary Blessing & Morning Ceremony at Zenkoji

— Overnight Tours at Zenkoji

Of these events, two which are easy to view for the overseas visitor to Japan during their vacation are the Rosary Blessing and the Morning Ceremony. Continue reading below to learn more about them and how you can view or even partake in these rituals.

WHERE IS ZENKOJI TEMPLE?

Located only a 30 minute / 2 km walk from Nagano Station, Zenkoji lies at the northern edge of Nagano City close to the mountains which surround the area. The cultural heart of Nagano City, the area surrounding the main temple also includes many smaller temples, gift shops, restaurants, and more, all along the beautiful avenues which make up this traditional section of Nagano City. One of the easiest ways to reach Zenkoji from Nagano Station is simply to walk – at a normal pace it will take less than 30 minutes, and serve as a great way to see the city up close while heading to your destination. Simply head north along the road known as ‘Chuo-Dori’ and before long Zenkoji will appear at the end of this long street. Buses are also available from the station, leaving from the north side. From the ‘Zenkoji Daimon’ bus stop, it is only a 10 minute walk to the main hall. The temple is also accessible by using Nagano City’s Nagaden Line subway. From Nagano Station, you need only ride for 5 minutes to reach ‘Zenkoji-Shita’ Station, from where it is a further 5-10 minute walk to the temple.

THE ROSARY BLESSING & MORNING CEREMONY AT ZENKOJI

The rosary blessing (called juzu choudai in Japanese) and morning ceremony (o-asaji) are two events held in the early, early morning at Zenkoji Temple that are worth visiting Nagano City for. The Juzu Choudai is the term for when the head-priestess and head-priest of the two Zenkoji sects come from their temple and head to the main temple to partake in the morning service. Visitors line up all the way from to the main temple and kneel to receive a blessing. The head-priest touches his or her prayer beads (juzu) to the heads of those kneeling and thus confer their blessing. This blessing is supposed to bring you a step closer to heaven. There are 4 chances in a day to receive the beaded blessing. The head-priest goes up first and is followed by the head-priestess 15 minutes later. As she enters the temple, he goes back to his temple and on the way back spreads more blessings around. She does the same 15 minutes later.

After the first rosary blessing, o-asaji begins. At o-asaji, monks chant sutras and the head-priest/priestess says his/her prayers and bless several objects. The morning service has remained unchanged for many centuries, and you will get out of the temple with the feeling that you experienced something highly spiritual. The start of the ritual depends on the time of the sunrise. If you are to see the o-asaji in winter, you will be able to get out of bed a lot later than if you were to go in summer. It is best to stay in a shukubo, or pilgrims inn, inside the temple grounds if you wish to view the event, as more often than not the ceremonies start earlier than the trains start running.

OVERNIGHT TOURS AT ZENKOJI

As mentioned above, the best way to join both the Rosary Blessing and the Morning Ceremony is to stay overnight at a shukubo, a kind of lodging made for pilgrims which can be found inside the temple grounds. There are many shukubo which line the streets and it may be difficult to settle on one. Instead, why not join one of our overnight tours which includes a shukubo stay?

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 at a shukubo, 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.