Half Day Tea Ceremony and Zenkoji Experience Tour
Designed to provide guests with an intimate yet entertaining understanding of Nagano’s near-1,400-year-old Zenkoji temple, this half-day group tour combines a guided experience and a unique fire ceremony at the temple as well as a traditional tea ceremony, sampling of local dumplings, and even ‘sake’ tasting.
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Half Day Tea Ceremony and Zenkoji Experience Tour
What's included in Half Day Tea Ceremony and Zenkoji Experience Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Saiko-ji Temple
Dedicated to Jurojin – one of Japan’s ‘shichifukujin’ or ‘7 Lucky Gods’ – Saiko-ji is the ideal place to begin your exploration of Nagano, a temple town known for its traditional food culture and the longevity it affords. Indeed, Jurojin is associated with long life and will point you toward your next stop and first tasty treat of the tour – ‘oyaki’.
‘Oyaki’ dumplings are made from fermented buckwheat dough and rice powder, filled with all manner of vegetables, fruit, or ‘anko’ bean paste. Simple, healthy, and tasty. Followed by a Sake tasting experience at Imanishiki Sake Brewery.
Zenko-ji Temple
Only a short walk away from the brewery, begin your guided tour of Zenkoji Temple. Your guide will reveal its storied history and secrets, while also explaining the role of Buddhism in Japan in an enjoyable and engaging way as you head toward the site of the ‘goma’ prayer fire ceremony.
Inclusions
- Simple lunch of two oyaki
- ‘Sake’ tasting
- Guided tour of Zenkoji and ‘goma’ prayer fire ceremony
- English-speaking guide
- Tea ceremony experience
- Transport fees inc. Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ to/from Nagano City
- Additional food, snacks & drinks
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- The meetup point is inside Nagano Station in front of the information aboard right across the Shinkansen exit gates
