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Zenkoji Temple Tour: Fire Ceremony & Sake Tasting
5.0
2 Ratings
Nagano
This half-day group tour offers guests an engaging and intimate exploration of Nagano’s nearly 1,400-year-old Zenkoji temple. The tour includes a guided experience, a distinctive fire ceremony at the temple, a traditional tea ceremony, sampling of local dumplings, and even a ‘sake’ tasting.
This half-day group tour offers guests an engaging and intimate exploration of Nagano’s nearly 1,400-year-old Zenkoji temple. The tour includes a guided experience, a distinctive fire ceremony at the temple, a traditional tea ceremony, sampling of local dumplings, and even a ‘sake’ tasting.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Saiko-ji Temple - Dedicated to Jurojin, one of Japan’s ‘shichifukujin’ or ‘7 Lucky Gods’, Saiko-ji is the perfect starting point for exploring Nagano. This temple town is renowned for its traditional food culture and the longevity it promotes. Jurojin, associated with long life, will guide you to your next destination and the first delicious treat…
- Saiko-ji Temple - Dedicated to Jurojin, one of Japan’s ‘shichifukujin’ or ‘7 Lucky Gods’, Saiko-ji is the perfect starting point for exploring Nagano. This temple town is renowned for its traditional food culture and the longevity it promotes. Jurojin, associated with long life, will guide you to your next destination and the first delicious treat of the tour – ‘oyaki’.
- Ogawanoshodaimonten - ‘Oyaki’ dumplings are crafted from fermented buckwheat dough and rice powder, filled with a variety of vegetables, fruits, or ‘anko’ bean paste. They are simple, healthy, and delicious. This is followed by a sake tasting experience at Imanishiki Sake Brewery.
- Zenko-ji Temple - Just a short walk from the brewery, embark on a guided tour of Zenkoji Temple. Your guide will share its rich history and secrets, while also explaining the role of Buddhism in Japan in an engaging and enjoyable manner as you proceed to the site of the ‘goma’ prayer fire ceremony.
- Shinshu Zenkoji Hombo Daikanjin Temple - The burning of prayers in the sacred flame infuses the experience with profound spirituality and often helps participants release their immediate, worldly concerns. Whether you are a practicing Buddhist or simply seeking a memorable and meaningful experience in Japan, the ‘goma’ prayer will leave a deep and lasting impression.
What's Included
- Guided tour of Zenkoji and ‘goma’ prayer fire ceremony
- Tea ceremony experience
- ‘Sake’ tasting
- Simple lunch of two oyaki
- English-speaking guide
- Guided tour of Zenkoji and ‘goma’ prayer fire ceremony
- Tea ceremony experience
- ‘Sake’ tasting
- Simple lunch of two oyaki
- English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
- Transport fees inc. Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ to/from Nagano City
- Additional food, snacks & drinks
- Transport fees inc. Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ to/from Nagano City
- Additional food, snacks & drinks
Location
Nagano Station
The meetup point is inside Nagano Station in front of the information aboard right across the Shinkansen exit gates
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Benpl2087wf
Dec 30, 2024
A spectacular day with a fantastic guide. - Had a fantastic day with Dai, he was friendly, easy to chat with and extremely knowledgeable on the temples, Nagano, Buddhism, sake and much more about Japan that we chatted about.
The temple was beautiful, and being toured around it gave each statue and point of interest context. Our dumplings were delicious (I highly recommend picking up the apple ones) and the sake taster absolutely eye opening.
The highlight though was the fire ceremony, for which our names were supplied and the entire ceremony felt both magical and spectacular.
I most highly recommend doing this tour, you won't regret it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adelokey
Dec 22, 2024
Amazing Zenkoji and Tea Ceremony experience - I highly recommend the tour! The most memorable experience for me was the tea ceremony conducted by Yuki-san and of course visiting Zenkoji! My guide Joyce went above and beyond, making sure I was well looked after during the tour. Joyce is truly a passionate and enthusiastic guide! I had tons of questions during the tea ceremony and sake tasting and she was so patient to answer them or asked the hosts for me. So grateful to have had Joyce as my guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
