Nagano: A Visit to Zenkoji Temple and Joyama Zoo

A family day course enjoying the whole of Zenkoji Temple (善光寺), the famed Shinshu temple people say you should visit at least once in your life, and the neighboring Joyama Park (城山公園). At the main hall, parents and kids get a thrill from the Okaidan-meguri, walking through a pitch-dark corridor, and at Nakamise Street (仲見世通り) you can snack on oyaki and soft-serve ice cream as you stroll. In the afternoon, meet penguins and sea lions at the free-admission Joyama Zoo (城山動物園), then head to the terrace at the Nagano Prefectural Art Museum (長野県立美術館) overlooking Zenkoji's great roof. Compact enough to explore entirely on foot, this is a reassuring temple-town walk even with small children.