信州善光寺 薬王院
Narrow shower cubicle with sky and seagull wallpaper, handheld shower and mirror at Yakuōin in Nagano
Person seated inside temple interior by illuminated altar and lanterns at Yakuōin near Zenkoji in Nagano
Tatami room with tokonoma alcove, shoji screens and wooden ceiling at Yakuōin in Nagano
Pedestrian stone-paved approach to a temple gate lined with traditional shops near Yakuōin in Nagano
Tiled indoor bath with tatami seating area and wooden bucket at Yakuōin near Zenkoji, Nagano
Wooden tray of assorted small Japanese dishes and soup served at Yakuōin near Zenkoji, Nagano
Traditional tatami room with low table, zaisu chairs, tokonoma scroll and small entertainment console at Nagano ryokan

Yakuōin, temple-auberge près du Zenkoji de Shinshu

8.4
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.4/10, based on 71 reviews. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 3:00 PM
Temple District Old Town Food District Indoor Bath Kaiseki Cuisine
Staff 8,5/10
Facilities 8,0/10
Cleanliness 8,5/10
Comfort 8,2/10
Value for money 8,1/10
Location 9,0/10

Ryokan highlights

Historic Zenkoji temple lodging in central Nagano with a traditional shukubo atmosphere.

By Zenkoji TempleJust steps from Zenkoji, ideal for early visits and a deeper temple stay.
Authentic Temple StayA real shukubo experience with historic Buddhist lodging rather than a standard hotel.
Shojin CuisineVegetarian temple meals are a signature highlight of the stay experience.
Simple Japanese RoomsTatami-style rooms offer a traditional, calm base for an overnight Nagano stay.
Public Bath AccessGuests can unwind in a shared public bath after sightseeing around Nagano.
Good Nagano BaseConvenient for Zenkoji area sightseeing, with Nagano Station reachable by short ride.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1 nightTemple-setting is the main stay-length driver: arrive mid-afternoon, walk Zenkoji and nearby approach streets, eat shojin dinner, join the early morning service, have breakfast, then move on. A second night only makes sense if you want a slower Nagano City schedule or to stage a day trip from Nagano Station.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-night cultural stay inside the Zenkoji temple district, or 2 nights only if you also want an easy Nagano City day trip.

Know before booking

Not an onsen ryokanThis is a temple lodging with an indoor bath, not a hot-spring stay.
Temple area gets quietEvenings are calm around Zenkoji, so nightlife and late dining are limited compared with staying near Nagano Station.
Two nights can feel enoughThe immediate area is rewarding but compact; many travelers will run out of nearby sights if they stay longer.

Food & drinks

Verified as the Yakuoin shukubo by Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, with on-site shojin vegetarian meals and useful dining options nearby.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

Temple meal setting for included shojin breakfast and dinner.

  • Shojin ryori dinnerfoodTraditional Buddhist vegetarian set meal.
  • Shojin breakfastfoodSimple vegetarian morning meal.
  • TeadrinkHot tea with temple meals.
  • Seasonal vegetablesspecialtyPlant-based dishes with local produce.
Kitanoya Honten (nearby)
nearby6 min walk

Long-running soba restaurant near Zenkoji for Shinshu noodles.

  • Shinshu sobafoodLocal buckwheat noodles.
  • Tempura sobafoodSoba with crisp tempura.
  • Hot sobafoodWarm noodle bowl option.
  • Soba teadrinkLight roasted buckwheat tea.
Suyakame Zenkoji (nearby)
nearby4 min walk

Miso specialty shop with casual local meal options near the temple approach.

  • Shinshu miso dishesfoodRegional miso-based comfort food.
  • Miso picklesspecialtyTraditional preserved side dishes.
  • Rice set mealfoodSimple local meal with miso flavors.
  • Miso souvenirsspecialtyLocal taste to take away.

Access, transport and nearby sights

This temple lodging is in the Zenkoji temple area, best reached from Nagano Station by bus, short taxi ride, or a longer uphill walk.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Should you choose this ryokan?

A strong pick for travelers who want a genuine temple stay beside Zenkoji rather than a standard hotel. Choose it for atmosphere, early-morning temple access, and distinctive Buddhist cuisine, but expect simple traditional lodging instead of modern luxury.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Steps from ZenkojiIt sits in Motozencho right by Zenkoji, making dawn visits and evening walks around the temple area especially easy. This location suits travelers who want the spiritual side of Nagano at their doorstep.
  • Real shukubo atmosphereThis is a historic temple lodging, not a themed inn, so the stay feels rooted in Zenkoji pilgrimage culture. It is better for travelers seeking calm, ritual, and a sense of place than a conventional business hotel.
  • Excellent for morning serviceOne of the biggest advantages is being well placed for Zenkoji's early morning service, which is a highlight of staying here. Sleeping nearby makes the experience far more comfortable than arriving from elsewhere in town before sunrise.
  • Memorable temple mealsThe inn is known for shojin-style teppachi meals using seasonal Shinshu ingredients, with a more distinctive dining experience than a generic set dinner. This is especially appealing if you want local mountain vegetables and a Buddhist culinary style.
  • Private rooms with simple comfortFor a temple stay, the rooms offer a reassuring level of privacy, with lockable guest rooms and a more relaxed setup for resting before temple visits. That makes it easier to enjoy the spiritual setting without feeling overly austere.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not a luxury ryokanThe appeal here is simplicity and temple character, so travelers expecting upscale ryokan pampering, elaborate amenities, or polished resort comfort may feel underwhelmed. It is better approached as a cultural stay than a splurge stay.
  • Early rhythm may not suit everyoneThis property makes the most sense if you want the Zenkoji morning experience and a quiet temple schedule. Late-night travelers or guests who prefer slow mornings may not get full value from the stay.
  • Traditional style over convenienceThe lodging is Japanese-style and intentionally modest, which may be less comfortable for guests who strongly prefer Western beds, contemporary design, or hotel-style facilities. The experience prioritizes atmosphere over convenience.
  • Best for pairs or groupsPublished lodging information indicates a minimum of two guests for overnight stays, so solo travelers may find it inconvenient or unavailable depending on booking conditions. That can make planning less flexible.
  • Access is easy but not station-sideIt is convenient for Zenkoji, not for travelers who want to be next to Nagano Station and transport hubs. If your trip is rail-heavy or focused on quick arrivals and departures, the temple district may feel less practical.

Ranking around this ryokan in Nagano

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 93rd out of 166 ryokans in Nagano.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
88th Futari Shizuka 8.4/10 815
89th IKOI Villa 8.4/10 355
90th Oyado Nagomino 9.9/10 2
91st 蓼科BASE kitchen,spa&hotel 8.4/10 198
92nd Hotel Yume-no-yu 8.4/10 145
93rd Yakuōin, temple-auberge près du Zenkoji de Shinshu Current ryokan 8.4/10 71
94th Komao 8.4/10 35
95th Umemura Ryokan Uguisutei 8.8/10 4
96th Kamiyamada Hotel 8.4/10 24
97th Suzuranso 8.6/10 6
98th Tateshina Grand Hotel Takinoyu 8.3/10 2,908
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Traveler routes

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This ryokan is included in 1 public itinerary.

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1

4 days – Mie > Nagano > Shizuoka > Kanagawa

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