Temples and the Darkside

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Travelling into the mountains of Nagano on the Japan Unmaksed trip, we stay at a great place – Zenkoji temple in Nagano.

Zenkoji Temple

Zenkoji is a beautiful temple and one of the most important in the prefecture. It is also the only one in Japan run by two Buddhist sects – Tendai and Jodoshu. However, having been there during a festival which sees hundreds of lanterns decorated with various characters, lining the streets up to the temple, I feel as though there maybe other forces at work here.

Darth Vader lantern
Darth Vader lantern

Zenkoji is very impressive. Waking up the next morning we join the monks for morning service. After walking through a pitch black room until we found ‘our path’ to the brass handle which opens up to the entrance, we then listened to the monks chant their mantra which was beautiful and enlightening.

Enlightening Lanterns
Enlightening Lanterns

I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the area and I will use this force to lead the tours!

Andrew

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