Large traditional Japanese wooden temple with multi-tiered roof, lanterns and visitors in a stone courtyard

Zenkō-ji

Zenkō-ji

3.8.2018
Japan, Places
Nagano

Zenkō-ji (Japanese 善光寺), also Shinshū Zenkō-ji (信州善光寺), is a temple in the Japanese city of Nagano.

The temple was built in the 7th century, even before Buddhism in Japan divided into different sects, and later the town of Nagano was formed around it. Today it belongs to the Tendai and Jōdoshū schools of Buddhism.

grand two-story traditional Japanese Buddhist temple gate with visitors on a stone courtyard path

Zenko-ji Temple entrance in Nagano, Japan, with stone lanterns and hanging paper lanterns.

Six Rokujizo statues in Nagano, Japan.

The Zenkō-ji compound consists of several buildings, gates and landscaped areas.

Large traditional Japanese wooden temple with multi-tiered roof, lanterns and visitors in a stone courtyard

Large bronze incense burner topped with komainu statue at traditional Japanese temple

Ema votive plaques hanging on a wooden display rack at a Japanese Buddhist temple

White paper fortune slips and golden prayer packets tied to a braided rope in an autumn Japanese temple garden

Row of white Daruma dolls with gold and black detailing at Zenko-ji Temple.

Japanese wooden ema prayer plaques with calligraphy hanging at a temple

Traditional stone lanterns lined along a gravel path at a Japanese temple during autumn with colorful foliage and mountains in the background

Stone lanterns lining a gravel path at a Japanese temple amid colorful autumn foliage and forested hills

Stacked stone sculpture in a Japanese cemetery amid autumn leaves and mountains

Bronze guardian lion statue with smoke rising in front of a traditional Japanese temple roof

Japanese temple tree with autumn leaves and prayer strips.

White Japanese wish strips tied to an autumn maple tree with orange and yellow leaves

traditional straw sandals hanging on wooden rack at Japanese temple

Niomon Gate in Nagano, Japan, with people passing through.

Traditional Japanese temple roof with ornate woodwork framed by red autumn maple leaves under a clear blue sky

Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano, Japan reflected in still water.

Large traditional Japanese Buddhist temple hall with sweeping two-tiered wooden roof under a clear blue sky

Traditional Japanese stone lantern surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage in a garden

Path through Zenko-ji Temple garden in autumn, stone lanterns and colorful trees.

Two traditional Japanese stone lanterns in a temple garden surrounded by red autumn shrubs and pine trees

Three-story Buddhist pagoda with ornate spire against clear blue sky

Japanese wedding couple in traditional kimono holding a red umbrella at a grand Buddhist temple courtyard