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Zenkō-ji; temple in Nagano
A large Buddhist temple in the city of 長野, founded in the seventh century and open to all sects. Its main Buddha image is kept hidden, and a copy is shown to the public only once every seven years; pilgrims have come from all over Japan for centuries.
Common expressions
- 牛に引かれて善光寺参り: to end up somewhere good by chance, led by someone else (proverb; from a tale of an old woman who chased an ox to the temple and found faith)
- 善光寺参り: a pilgrimage to Zenkō-ji
Cultural note
- The temple's main image is never shown; a copy is displayed in the 御開帳, held once every seven years (counted inclusively, so every six calendar years), which draws millions of visitors.