Anrakuji Temple

A nominal fee to visit a significant heritage property! It was just interesting that while nestled on a hill behind the gated entry of the temple, it is beside lots of grave stones too. An experience to visit and glad we drove specially to visit this amazing and highly intricatw piece of ancient pagoda architecture that is standing the test of time!

Loved this temple from the entrance, featuring the black gate and plenty of greenery alongside the road leading to the temple. It was breezy and cool in the shade, which made the stroll very pleasant. National treasure with the highlight as a three-story octagonal wooden tower. Intricate and original carvings of the tower were amazing to look at. The tower blended very well with the lush green and the blue skies of early summer typical of Nagano. I suppose this place must also look splendid in the fall with yellow and red leaves as the backdrop. My visit time was about 45 mins. Free to enter temple grounds, 300 yen to climb up to the wooden tower.

The one and only Octagonal shape pagoda can be found here, and it's the Anrakuji treasure . You will need to walk up some flight of stairs to the temple and to the pagoda, but it is worth the entrance fees of 300 yen per adult ( to see the pagoda) . Parking is free . Please park here so that you can visit the other two temples nearby .

The beautiful octagonal pagoda is worth a visit alone. It’s incredibly complex and an original, too. It’s free to visit the temple and bell tower, 300 yen to walk up through the woods to the pagoda. Quite a few stairs. The staff are super friendly, too!

There is an entrance fee but worth paying to see the rare example of Song Chinese-style Zen architecture of the eight-sided pagoda nestled in the forest. There are many stairs to it, though, which also somewhat cuts down on crowds even though this is another of the must-see places in Bessho Onsen.

Small entrance fee to see national treasure. Lots of stair to climb. Peaceful nature vibe.

Spend the few hundred yen to visit the national treasures. Went by rental car. Beautiful traditional Japanese buildings and shrines. Nice tea houses and restaurants so can spend a day here and can get lost so take your time. Lots of hills and stairs. Worth the visit.

Steps are worthwhile, because the pagoda is unique!