The entrance to Okaidan is located inside the main hall of Zenkoji temple, to the right of the Sankyo-zo, or the statues of three lords. Going down this staircase and take a few steps forward, the visitor will be surrounded by pitch-black darkness. Raising the right hand to waist-high and keeping it touching the wooden wall to the right, visitors are to proceed step by step in sliding steps. The route leads to go round directly below the Ruridan podium, and to the north of the entrance. There is a wooden door on the way, on which a lock is hanging. It is believed that if the visitors touch this lock, they establish a connection with the principle image and will be allowed to enter the paradise. Though the whole process only takes about five minutes, the magical power of the darkness makes this experience strangely long.