Name: Takayama Zenko-ji
Address: Takayama, Gifu, 506-0025, JP
Telephone: +81

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Location

4-chōme-3 Tenmanmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0025, Japan

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What makes this place special?

At a Glance

A historic Buddhist temple in Takayama offering traditional shukubo (temple lodging) experiences. Known for its peaceful atmosphere and authentic temple stay accommodations, allowing visitors to experience monastic life in the heart of Takayama's old town.

Historic Zen Temple

Why you should go

This temple offers a unique kaidan-meguri (underground passage walk) with no guide rope or lock markers, making it more challenging than other Zenkō-ji temples where visitors navigate in complete darkness to touch the sacred key.

The temple operates as a shukubō (temple lodging) where English-speaking monks personally explain Buddhism and temple practices to international guests, making it particularly welcoming to foreign visitors.

As a branch temple of the famous Nagano Zenkō-ji, this is known as Zenkō-ji Hida Betsuin, bringing the sacred Zenkō-ji tradition to the Takayama region of Gifu Prefecture.

The kaidan-meguri here may feature a swastika-shaped (manji) passage layout similar to Seki Zenkō-ji, though without guide ropes, visitors must navigate the sacred darkness relying purely on touch and instinct.

Know before you go

The temple operates as a shukubo (temple lodging) with exceptionally clean rooms and English-speaking monks who provide detailed explanations about Buddhism and the temple's history to international visitors.
You can receive a goshuin (temple stamp) after your visit, which is available at the temple office following your participation in the kaidan meguri or main hall visit.
The temple offers a kaidan meguri: you walk through total darkness under the main hall to touch a sacred key. There are no guide ropes or markers, so you navigate by touch along the walls.
Access to the main hall is permitted for visitors, allowing you to enter the building itself rather than just viewing from outside.
The temple staff and monks are known for being particularly welcoming and helpful to visitors, with a strong focus on accommodating international guests.
While the temple actively welcomes international visitors with English explanations and modern hospitality, be aware that the atmosphere may feel less traditionally solemn than some expect from a Buddhist temple.

What makes this place special?

Why you should go

How do I visit?

Admission

Location

Know before you go

Facilities

Takayama Zenko-ji Temple(高山善光寺)