Hello, fellow travel lovers!
Today, let’s dive into a journey to Zenkoji Temple!
First things first—before our temple visit, let’s fuel up! The kind folks at the temple lodge suggested we go easy on the food, so it’s *oyaki* time! 🍂✨
- Conquering all three flavors of *oyaki*!
- Off to the famous HEIGORO! We went to buy baked treats but ended up indulging in a full tea time☕
- 国宝の本堂でご利益倍増！七五三に便乗？
- Confirming our path to paradise with the *Okaidan Meguri* (Pure Land Passage)!
- Breathtaking Views from the Sanmon Gate! Blessings Galore
- A Single Character for the Journey: “空” (Sky/Emptiness)
- Turning the Heavy *Rinzo*! Blessings of a Complete Sutra
- Triple Pilgrimage with a Temple Lodge Stay
- Triple the Blessings with an Early Morning *Oasaji* for Our Third Pilgrimage!
Conquering all three flavors of *oyaki*!
This time, we shared and compared three flavors: pumpkin, eggplant, and sweet red bean.
“Sweet red bean is a must! The pumpkin is delicious too! I’m all about the eggplant!” We savored each bite, enjoying the cozy, comforting flavors.
Off to the famous HEIGORO! We went to buy baked treats but ended up indulging in a full tea time☕
My friend found a “highly-rated bakery nearby!” so we decided to check it out.
We arrived, and… what a charming place it turned out to be!
We went to buy some pastries, but ended up enjoying a full tea break instead! (Haha)
We ordered the *Tarte Tatin* 🍎🍰—absolutely divine! The coffee was aromatic and delicious, so good that I bought some to take home!
Now that we’re fully satisfied, it’s finally time to head to Zenkoji Temple!
国宝の本堂でご利益倍増！七五三に便乗？
We passed through the Niomon Gate and strolled along Nakamise Street, heading straight to pay our respects to the main deity.
The National Treasure main hall is truly impressive, boasting the largest scale in eastern Japan! The lavish interior decorations seem to shout, “How about this!” making it feel as if blessings are pouring down upon us.
We were lucky enough to catch the Shichi-Go-San celebrations, and thanks to that, we even got a special view of the main deity. Could this be our “Triple Blessings Day”!?
Confirming our path to paradise with the *Okaidan Meguri* (Pure Land Passage)!
In the *Okaidan Meguri*, we embarked on a tactile journey, feeling our way through the darkness to find the “Key to Paradise.”
Feeling our way through the pitch-black corridor, suddenly—“Ah, this must be it!” The moment I found it, a mysterious sense of relief washed over me, like, “I’m definitely on the path to paradise now!” (Haha)
Breathtaking Views from the Sanmon Gate! Blessings Galore
Next, we soaked in the stunning views from the Sanmon Gate!
From here, you get a perfect, front-row view of Nagano’s cityscape and the main hall we just visited.
And to our surprise, the Sanmon Gate also houses statues representing the *88 Temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage*! Yet another round of blessings awaits!
A Single Character for the Journey: “空” (Sky/Emptiness)
At the museum, we tried an activity where you choose a single character from a sutra and leave it written behind.
After much deliberation, the character I finally chose was “空” (Sky/Emptiness)!
This character felt perfect as a memento of the journey, leaving me with a sense of lightness and calm.
Turning the Heavy *Rinzo*! Blessings of a Complete Sutra
At the sutra repository, we gave the hefty *Rinzo* a full spin, gaining the same blessings as if we had read every sutra. Another merit added to our journey’s blessings!
With our hearts and bellies full, we wrapped up our first round of the pilgrimage feeling light and uplifted!
Triple Pilgrimage with a Temple Lodge Stay
Now, after completing our first pilgrimage, it’s time for the much-anticipated temple lodge stay!
This time, we had the pleasure of staying at *Fuchinobo*.
For all the details on our temple lodge stay, check out our blog post on *Fuchinobo*!
After savoring dinner in a serene room, we headed out for our second pilgrimage, this time to the beautifully lit-up Zenkoji Temple.
Zenkoji at night had a serene, almost mystical atmosphere, completely different from the daytime.
As the temple’s illuminated form rose into view, I was mesmerized, secretly thinking, “That’s my second ticket to paradise, confirmed!” (Haha)
Triple the Blessings with an Early Morning *Oasaji* for Our Third Pilgrimage!
And then, the next morning, we set out for our third pilgrimage!
In the refreshing morning air, this third visit felt extra special. With renewed gratitude, I offered my prayers to the main deity, thinking, “How blessed I am!”
During the special *Oasaji* ceremony, the resonating sutras filled the air. I even took on the *Okaidan Meguri* once more, feeling the blessings shower down in that sacred moment!
And so, our “Triple Pilgrimage” journey came to a close, leaving me feeling even more certain that paradise is now well within reach!
Two days filled with abundant visits to Zenkoji! I highly recommend experiencing the *Triple Pilgrimage* here—it’s the perfect way to refresh both body and soul.
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
