Zen Package Taxi Plan
Shinshu Zenkoji Temple Premium Sightseeing Taxi with the Chief Priest of Gyokushoin Temple
Starting from Nagano Station, this exclusive experience invites you to explore Zenkoji Temple together with Daiki Yamanoi, the head monk of Gyokushoin Temple, a sub-temple of Zenkoji.
Through dialogue and quiet reflection, you will discover practical ways to bring Buddhist teachings into everyday life and gently restore balance to the mind.
Travel is arranged by private chartered taxi. While the driver handles the journey, the monk accompanies you in the vehicle, sharing stories and insights about the spiritual and historical landmarks surrounding Zenkoji—such as the statue of Princess Nyoze and the eighteen milestone stones that line the ancient temple approach—revealing the layers of prayer and devotion embedded in the area.
Within the Zenkoji grounds, time is set aside to experience the temple in a calm and unhurried way. Highlights include the panoramic view from the Unjoden Hall, ascending the historic Sanmon Gate, and the symbolic journey through the underground passage of the Kaidan Meguri.
The experience continues at the temple lodging Gyokushoin, where you will take part in a sutra-copying session (shakyo), followed by a special private prayer ceremony conducted by the monk in the main hall.
After the prayer, enjoy free time to stroll along the Zenkoji approach at your own pace.
Private transfers can also be arranged to nearby destinations such as Togakushi, Obuse, Matsushiro, or Togura Kamiyamada Onsen, allowing the quiet resonance of the experience to flow naturally into a broader journey through the Shinshu region.
As this is a fully private vehicle, the pace and schedule can be adjusted flexibly.
The experience is designed to be accessible and comfortable, making it suitable even for elderly guests or those with limited mobility.
Price
[Departures from April to November] Zen Package Taxi Plan
per person
| 2 guests（Same price for adults and children） | 70000Yen |
|---|---|
| 3 guests（Same price for adults and children） | 47000Yen |
| 4 guests（Same price for adults and children） | 35000Yen |
[Departures from December to March] Zen Package Taxi Plan
per person
| 2 guests（Same price for adults and children） | 80000Yen |
|---|---|
| 3 guests（Same price for adults and children） | 53000Yen |
| 4 guests（Same price for adults and children） | 40000Yen |
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Plan Details
| Period |
2026/2/1(Sun)～2027/3/31(Wed) |
|---|---|
| Excluded days | December 27, 2026 – January 6, 2027 |
| What is included in the travel/plan price |
・Chartered Taxi Fee ・Special Experience Fee including temple guidance, commentary, sutra copying, and a private prayer conducted by Head Monk Daiki Yamanoi |
| Option |
[Departures from April to November] Zen Package Taxi Plan ・English-speaking driver (per vehicle)：6000Yen ・Wheelchair rental：0Yen ・Bringing your own wheelchair：0Yen ・Bringing your own baby stroller：0Yen ・Child seat rental：0Yen ・Junior seat rental：0Yen [Departures from December to March] Zen Package Taxi Plan ・English-speaking driver (per vehicle)：6000Yen ・Wheelchair rental：0Yen ・Bringing your own wheelchair：0Yen ・Bringing your own baby stroller：0Yen ・Child seat rental：0Yen ・Junior seat rental：0Yen |
| Minimum number of participants per group | 2 person/people |
| Minimum number of participants | 2 person/people |
| Maximum number of participants | 4 person/people |
| Operating Company | Chuo Taxi |
| Tour Conductor | No |
| Start Time | Approx. 5 hours |
| Reservation Deadline | Up to 10 days prior to the departure date |
| Payment Method |
Creditcard    
|
- Tour itinerary -
Nagano Station (departure 12:30) Statue of Nyozehime offering flowers at Zenkoji Temple =
Transfers to additional sightseeing destinations are available for locations such as Togakushi, Obuse, Matsushiro, and Togura Kamiyamada Onsen, generally within approximately one hour from Zenkoji Temple.
- Meeting Place -
Address is displayed when location is selected.
Nagano Station
- Important Points -
- For international guests, the monk will communicate in Japanese and basic English, using translation apps as needed to ensure smooth communication.
- Transfers to sightseeing areas or hot spring destinations are limited to locations within approximately one hour from Zenkoji Temple. Please specify your desired destination at the time of booking.
- The price is the same for adults and children.
- Other -
- English-speaking drivers are available.
If you request an English-speaking driver, an additional fee of JPY 6,000 will apply.
- Cancellation Fee -
In cases where the customer cancels the contract after the contract has been completed, 1 customer will be charged a cancellation fee from their travel fee at the following rates. In cases where multiple people are participating and a portion of the customers cancel their contracts, we will charge the remaining customers a fee based on the difference according to the change in the number of people (around 1 vehicle/1 room per person) using transport and accommodation facilities.
| 10–8 days prior to departure | 7–2 days prior to departure | 1 day prior to departure前日 | On the day of departure (before departure) | After departure or no-show without notice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 100% |
- Plan Provider Company -
field design, Inc.
1-3-16 marusa Bld.3F, Minamichitose, Nagano Shi, Nagano Ken
Registration of Travel Services：Governor of NaganoTravel Services Type 2 660
Certified General Travel Services Manager：Kotaro Hayashi
Contact Phone Number：026-227-8955
Application
Please select a course
Plan Contents
Travel Effortlessly by Private Taxi
Enjoy a smooth and comfortable journey in a luxury Toyota Alphard private chartered taxi.
Monk & Guide: Head Monk Daiki Yamanoi
Born in 1971 in Nagano City, Daiki Yamanoi is the head monk of Gyokushoin Temple, a sub-temple of Zenkoji.
Drawing inspiration from the daily morning prayers conducted at the main hall of Zenkoji Temple, he focuses on sharing the Buddhist origins of “cultivating and balancing the mind” in ways that are accessible and relevant to everyday life.
Through a wide range of experiential activities—including zazen meditation, sutra copying (shakyo), prayer bead amulet making, temple walking, and even unique programs such as Temple Ski (Teradera SKI)—he actively engages in teaching and outreach.
These activities are offered not only to individuals, but also to schools and companies, as part of his ongoing efforts to convey Buddhist values in a contemporary and practical manner.
Visiting the National Treasure Zenkoji Temple
During your visit to Zenkoji Temple, a designated National Treasure of Japan, a Buddhist monk will accompany you as a private guide.
While learning about the rich history and cultural heritage of Zenkoji, you will receive in-depth explanations of its sacred sites and revered hidden Buddha images.
This exclusive experience offers a rare opportunity to explore Zenkoji from a unique and insightful perspective, allowing you to appreciate the temple in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Sutra Copying Experience (Shakyo)
This sutra-copying session involves transcribing a short passage of approximately 50 characters, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced participants.
Guests may proceed at their own pace, focusing quietly and calming the mind through the rhythmic act of writing.
This contemplative experience offers a moment of self-reflection and an opportunity to feel a sense of inner peace.
Special Prayer Ceremony at the Gyokushoin Sutra Hall
This special prayer ceremony takes place at the Gyokushoin Sutra Hall, using the sutra that you personally copied during the Shakyo experience.
Through the ritual, prayers are offered for spiritual and physical purification as well as the fulfillment of personal wishes, creating a calm and reflective moment.
By offering the sutra you have written yourself, the experience becomes more personal and deeply meaningful, allowing you to feel a stronger sense of blessing and emotional resonance during this exclusive and memorable time.