Overview
Zotaku-ji is a Soto Zen temple tucked into the Nakazawa district of Komagane City in Nagano Prefecture. Bearing the mountain name Kozen-zan, it enshrines Vairocana Buddha as its principal image. Set at the foot of the Central Alps in a quiet rural valley, the temple serves as both the Jurojin station of the Ina Seven Lucky Gods and the 65th sacred site on the Ina-Suwa 88 pilgrimage, linking generations of local faith and pilgrimage routes.
Highlights
- ●The composed, tranquil grounds of a Soto Zen temple
- ●Vairocana Buddha enshrined as the principal image
- ●A station of longevity faith dedicated to Jurojin
- ●The 65th site on the Ina-Suwa 88 pilgrimage route
History
Known formally as Kozen-zan Zotaku-ji, this Soto Zen temple has carried on its Buddhist tradition with Vairocana Buddha as its main object of worship. Along the Ina-Suwa 88 pilgrimage that threads together the sacred sites of the Ina Valley, it is counted as the 65th station, and within the Ina Seven Lucky Gods it is cherished as the temple of Jurojin, the deity of longevity. For details on its founding and the evolution of its buildings, it is best to check the temple's own information.
Access
The temple stands in the Nakazawa area of Komagane City, at roughly 35.72 degrees north and 137.99 degrees east, at the foot of the Central Alps. Travel by car from central Komagane or the nearby expressway interchange is convenient as you head into the mountain valley of Nakazawa. Please confirm public transport options and on-site parking with official information before your visit.
Best season
Each season offers its own character. The fresh greenery of early summer and the autumn foliage that colors the grounds are especially quiet and beautiful, well suited to savoring the calm air of a Zen temple. Winter adds the charm of a snow-dusted mountain village. It is wise to check visiting hours and any events in advance through official information.
Map
35.7165, 137.9949 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Drive from central Komagane into the Nakazawa district
- 2Pass through the gate and quietly explore the grounds
- 3Offer a prayer for longevity associated with Jurojin
- 4Take in the mountain-village scenery of the Central Alps
Did you know?
💡 A distinctive feature of this temple is that it enshrines Jurojin, the god of longevity, within the Ina Seven Lucky Gods. Many visitors stop by as one leg of a seven-gods circuit or a segment of the Ina-Suwa 88 pilgrimage.
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