Introduction
”Visiting Zenkoji Temple once in your life” is a well-thought-out catchphrase. There are other stories such as “Visiting Zenkoji Temple being pulled by a cow,” and this time, “Visiting Zenkoji Temple being pulled by chestnut sweets.” Did Hokusai also go to Zenkoji Temple or Obuse Town because of the chestnut sweets?
I suddenly decided to visit Zenkoji Temple and went on a day trip from Tokyo. The Hokuriku Shinkansen has been extended to Fukui and Tsuruga, but it is not possible to take a day trip there.
Detail
The first thing you should do visiting Mr.Zenko’s house is say hello
Just 80 minutes from Tokyo (7:20) on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, you will arrive at the snow-covered city of prayer. Daimon, entrance of Zenkoji, is about a 10 minute bus ride from bus stop number 1 in front of Nagano station. Zenkoji Temple is full of knowledge, so it takes about 2 hours to get scolded by the monk and to experience the altar tour, etc.
Front seats of Romance car aren’t just for kids
Walk down to the east 10 minutes from Zenkoji Temple at the top of the alluvial fan, go underground to Zenkoji-Shita Station (11:26), get on one station back toward Nagano Station, and board the limited express, Romance car (11:35). You can reserve the front observation seat online. Enjoy the beautiful mountain range of Hoku-Shinetsu from the front seat of the first car, and arrive at Obuse Station before noon.
The small town Obuse thrives on chestnuts
This town does not give the impression of being depopulated or deserted at all. Although it only has a population of 10,000 people, it is famous as a chestnut production area that has continued since the Edo period. However, public transportation in the off-season is poor. All you have to do is walk, but as you walk, you can see the rich lifestyle. It takes less than 10 minutes from Obuse Station to the city center, and 30 minutes to a temple on the edge of the mountains with ceiling paintings by Hokusai in his later years. Let’s fill up your stomach first in the center and then start walking. Let’s hold off on tasting sake until you get home.
The last work of the genius painter Hokusai
The temple, which has a ceiling painting by Hokusai in his later years, is a 30-minute walk from Obuse Station toward the mountains. Be sure to listen to the explanations given by the monk every 20 minutes. Afterwards, let’s return to the city center and stop by the Hokusai Museum.
Finally, enjoy Shinshu soba near Nagano Station, then take the Hokuriku Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Cheers to a hard work and a day thoroughly enjoyed.
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