Zenkōji Temple - Nagano, Japan

This rolling camera alternates between two positions on the Sanmon gate at Zenkōji, showing the main hall from the front approach and the Nakamise shopping street leading up to it. The main hall visible here is one of the largest wooden structures in Japan, dating from 1707, and the approach is busy with pilgrims and visitors throughout the day.

Zenkōji is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Japan, founded in the seventh century and said to house the first Buddhist statue ever brought to Japan. The temple belongs to no single Buddhist sect, welcoming all denominations, which has made it a destination for pilgrims from across the country for over 1,400 years.

Around seven million people visit each year, making it one of the most visited religious sites in Japan.

Did You Know? Beneath the main hall of Zenkōji runs a pitch-black underground passage called the Okaidan. Pilgrims feel their way along the wall in total darkness to touch a sacred key said to be directly below the altar above, which is believed to guarantee rebirth in paradise. It is one of the more unusual spiritual experiences available at any temple in Asia.

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