Zenkō-ji Temple in Japanese — 善光寺
Zenkō-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple in Nagano, Nagano Prefecture. Written in Japanese it is 善光寺, read ぜんこうじ. Below is everything you need to get a taxi there: the characters to show, the reading, and a card you can print or keep on your phone.
Kanji
善光寺
| Kana | ぜんこうじ |
|---|---|
| Romaji | Zenkōji |
| English | Zenkō-ji Temple |
| Category | Buddhist temples |
| Location | Nagano, Nagano Prefecture 長野 |
How to ask for it in a taxi
- Show the driver: 善光寺
- Then point and say: ここまでお願いします (koko made onegai shimasu) — "please take me here".
- If asked which area: 長野, 長野県.
- On arrival: 領収書をください (ryōshūsho o kudasai) — "please give me a receipt".
Temple names are read in ways that surprise even Japanese speakers, and the same characters can be read two different ways in two different cities. Handing over the kanji removes the guesswork; the reading on this page is the local one.
Nearby places of the same kind
- 恵林寺 — Erin-ji Temple, Koshu
- 輪王寺 — Rinnō-ji Temple, Nikkō-shi
- 喜多院 — Kita-in Temple, Kawagoe
- 本寺専修寺 — Honji Senju-ji Temple, Mooka
- 西明寺 — Saimyō-ji Temple, Mashiko
Frequently asked questions
How do you read 善光寺?
善光寺 is read ぜんこうじ, romanised Zenkōji. English-language sources usually write it Zenkō-ji Temple. The kanji is what a taxi driver reads; the reading is only there so you know what you are handing over.
How do I show Zenkō-ji Temple to a taxi driver in Japan?
Do not try to pronounce it. Show the driver the Japanese characters 善光寺 together with the sentence ここまでお願いします ("please take me here"). Use the button on this page to build a card with both, then save it to your phone or print it — it works with no mobile signal.
Do I also need the address for Zenkō-ji Temple?
For a well-known Buddhist temple the name is usually enough, but adding 住所 (the address) removes all doubt, especially where several places share a name. This Buddhist temple is in Nagano, Nagano Prefecture; open the map link on this page to copy the exact address before you travel.