Zenkoji Temple, One of the Biggest Wooden Buildings in Japan Old warehouses and inns line the main street leading to Zenkoji Temple which is reminiscent of the feudal times when Nagano was a post town of the Hokoku-kaido (Northern Route). As you walk past this area you will come to the main gate of Zenkoji Temple called Nioh-mon, the gate of the two giants. These sculptures were carved by the sculptors Takamura Koun and Yonehara Unkai around the beginning of this century. Once you pass this gate, you will see shops on both sides of the street which sell souvenirs and sacred goods. As you go along the street, you will hit the Sanmon (temple gate). Inside you will see Hondoh (main temple) which was built in 1707 and which is designated a national treasure. To the left you will see Kyozou (archives). The Sanmon and the Kyozou are designated as an important cultural property.

Iizuna Heights, a Resort Located on the Foot of Mount Iizuna The Daizahoushi-ike (monk's hip print pond) is said to have been made when the giant monk Dadara sat down by Mount Iizuna to free his foot from the surrounding marshes. In summer You can find highland plants growing around this pond. To the west of the pond are camp sites and boat rental shops crowded yearround by tourists. Other attractions of this area are its tennis courts, golf courses, horse riding ranges, and ski slopes. A 25-minute drive from Nagano Station

Jindai Sakura (Cherry Blossom) According to a pre-historic legend, the god Susano-oh-no-mikoto sat down to rest here on his long journey. He stuck his cane into the ground and forgot to take it with him. The cane eventually took root and grew to its present size. The tree is actually about 1200 years old and has a diameter of 11.3 meters. Its flowers bloom from around April to early May. Bus from Nagano Station and a 20-minute walk from the bus station

The Bell of Zenkoji The bell tower of Zenkoji was rebuilt in 1853 and each of its six pillars is said to have the engravings of "Na mu a mi da butsu" (a Buddhist prayer) engraved on it. It tolls every day on the hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and also on New Year's Day. It has a very beautiful toll and was chosen as the "Best 100 Sounds to be Remembered" by the Environmental Agency. It tolls three times before tolling the number of times of the hour. It is also said that delicious apricots can be grown at locations where you can here the toll of the Zenkoji bell.