Immerse yourself in Japan’s spiritual heritage on this atmospheric afternoon tour of Zenkoji Temple, one of the country’s most significant and cherished Buddhist temples, with a history spanning more than 1,400 years. 

You’ll meet your guide at your hotel and walk together to the temple grounds. Here, you’ll gain a unique insight into Japan’s spiritual traditions in tranquil surroundings as you explore the temple’s impressive main hall and visit the Zenkoji Treasure Hall, where a fascinating collection of Buddhist statues, relics, and artworks bear witness to the temple’s long history and religious importance. Along the way, your guide will explain Zenkoji’s open philosophy, which welcomes people of all faiths, and they will elaborate on the rituals that continue to be practised here today. 

Next, you’ll take part in a meditative experience at Daikanjin Temple, one of Zenkoji’s sub-temples. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to try sutra copying, a traditional practice involving the hand-copying of Buddhist scriptures. This calm and focused activity offers a rare chance to immerse yourself in the temple’s peaceful and contemplative atmosphere. 

After this spiritual experience, your guide will lead you along Nakamise Street, a lively main thoroughfare that stretches all the way up to the temple. Here, you can explore small shops and stalls selling local delicacies and traditional handicrafts. A local favourite is oyaki – a baked bun filled with either sweet or savoury fillings – which you can enjoy as you soak up the atmosphere among visitors and local traders. 

The tour will conclude with a visit to a local sake brewery, where you’ll be introduced to the history of the drink and its cultural significance in Japan. You’ll also have the chance to sample a selection of different varieties and gain an insight into Nagano’s proud brewing traditions. 

After an afternoon spent exploring Japan’s religious, cultural, and gastronomic traditions, you’ll be accompanied back to your hotel in Nagano, where your guide will gladly offer recommendations for great local places to eat. 

Duration: Approx. 4 hours.

Group size: Max. 9 people.

This excursion is open to TourCompass’ own guests only.

We recommend that you book the excursion when booking the tour.