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In The Know
Did You Know?
( Highly Recommended )
Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, is a small town in the midst of beautiful mountain scenery, and is now just under 2 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen. The town itself is famous for the Zenkoji Temple, originally built in the 7th century by Yoshimitsu Honda to house the first Buddhist image in Japan. Hugely popular, it is ecumenical, welcoming people of all Buddhist sects. Pilgrims shuffle into the darkness inside to touch the large, heavy 'key of paradise' to ensure salvation. There is good walking near Nagano at Togakushi, and at Jogokudani Onsen there are famous hot springs. Hakuba, to the north west, is another excellent walking area, along the old Salt Road, around Nishina Three Lakes and in the Tsugaike Park.
Address: 170km northeast of Nagoya
Train: Direct links to Matsumoto, Nagoya and Tokyo (Ueno); Shinkansen from Tokyo
Info: Nagano Station Phone: (0262) 265 626
Zenkoji Temple
Address: Motozen-machiOpen: Daily 5-4; Oct-Apr 6-4
Accessible: None
Admission: Cheap
Practical: Gokaicho Festival 10 Apr-20 May every 7 years; due 1999
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