Zenkoji Temple is said to have been founded by Gyoki in 644 during the Hakuho period. After that, it attracted the faith of many military commanders and powerful people, such as Minamoto no Yoshinaka in the Heian period, Minamoto no Yoshitsune in the Kamakura period, and Ashikaga Takauji in the Muromachi period.

During the Edo period, visiting Zenkoji Temple became a major event for the common people, and many teahouses and inns lined the approach to the temple. Even today, Zenkoji Temple is one of Japan's leading tourist attractions, attracting many worshippers from all over the country.

There are many important cultural properties, including the national treasure of the main hall, the Sanmon Gate, and the sutra repository.

[Why is Zenkoji Temple so popular? ]

1. A non-sectarian "open temple" that anyone can visit

Zenkoji Temple does not belong to a specific sect, so even people who have never studied Buddhism or believers of other sects can easily visit. The stance of "not discriminating between sects and denominations" itself is a major attraction that attracts a diverse range of tourists from Japan and abroad.

2. An experiential pilgrimage through the darkness: "Okaidan Meguri"
The experience of groping your way through the pitch black corridors beneath the main hall and touching the "Key of Connection" beneath the main image is said to bring good fortune. It is a unique experience like no other. It has been much talked about for its use of the five senses to feel a "connection to paradise."

3. Seasonal expressions and gourmet food in the temple town
In addition to the beautiful scenery of the cherry blossoms, green maples, autumn leaves, and snow that adorn the temple grounds throughout the year, the approach to the temple is lined with long-established shops selling kusamochi, oyaki, Shinshu soba, and other unique Nagano delicacies, making the stroll itself a tourist activity. The nostalgic streetscape of Omotesando in particular is particularly photogenic.