Okaidan Meguri

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.

Address 491-I Nagano Motoyoshi-cho Nagano-shi
zip code: 380-0851
Phone Number Zenkoji Office +81-26-234-3591
Website http://www.zenkoji.jp/ MAPCODE * 54 277 056*72
Access Approx. 30 minutes walk, or 10 min ride on the local bus, get off at “Zenkoji Daimon” stop.
Approx 40 min. drive from Nagano IC.
Parking Zenkoji Parking Lot #1 (Northwest of the precincts):Public parking. General passenger cars only. Open 24 hours.
Zenkoji Parking Lot #2 (West of the precincts): For Pilgrim’s lodging only.
Zenkoji Parking Lot #3 (Northeast of the precincts): Public parking. General passenger cars only. Open 24 hours.
Zenkoji Parking Lot #4 (West of the precincts): For general passenger cars, motorcycles and buses. Open 24 hours.
Zenkoji Parking Lot #5 (West of the precincts): Public parking. General passenger cars only. Open 24 hours.

Passenger cars 500 yen up to 2 hours (200 yen for each additional hour), Buses and Mini buses 2,500 yen up to 2 hours (500 yen for every additional 30 minutes), Motorcycles 300 yen
Hours From 1 hour before Oasaji to evening (Changes between 16:00 and 16:30 depending on the season). Holiday Open throughout the year
Price Ticket for the Inner Temple
Adults/College students 500 yen, High school students 200 yen, Elementary/junior high school students 50 yen, Children of preschoolers free

* "マップコード" and "MAPCODE" are registered trademarks of DENSO.