Nakamise-dōri Street (仲見世通り) in front of Zenkoji Temple, between the Niōmon Gate and Sanmon Gate. Amongst the many shops and restaurants lined up on the sides of the street, it shouldn’t be a surprise that many tourists would have a hard time deciding which shops to visit. So read on for our recommended shops and tips. A few hidden gems are also included!
Although not all seven specialties have survived the test of time, there are still three that you should be able to try!
Back in the Edo period (1603 – 1867), seven local specialties were sold at shops around Zenkoji, which pilgrims often brought home as souvenirs after visiting the temple. The seven specialties were known as the Seven Specialties of Zenkoji (善光寺七名物).
One of the three is Sangokuichi no Amazake (三国一の甘酒). The non-alcoholic fermented rice drink is sold at several street shops and at the café at Jyoyama Park (城山公園).
Below, we have included a couple of shops that sell one or some of the Seven Specialties of Zenkoji. Some of these shops and restaurants are beyond Nakamise-dōri Street but still between Nagano Station and Niōmon Gate. They are listed in order of distance from Zenkoji Temple, with the closest shop first.
The Must-Visit Shops Around Zenkoji Temple
- The 7 Spice Blend (七味唐辛子) from Yawataya (八幡屋磯五郎)
- Sake Buns (酒饅頭) at Tsuruya (酒饅頭本舗つるや)
- Hanadouji (花童子) at Kukuya syunsui (九九や旬粋)
- Miso at Suyakame (すや亀)
- Nishinomon Yoshinoya Sake Brewery (西之門 よしのや)
- Soba Noodles at Kado no Daimaru (かどの大丸)
- Soba noodle at Fujikian (門前そば処 藤木庵)
- Incense at Kotaki (お香の店古薫)
- Oyaki (おやき) at Ogawanoshō (小川の庄 大門店)
- Tenshin no Cake (てんしのけーき)
For more information on how to get to Zenkoji and Nakamise-dōri Street, please refer to our article on Zenkōji.
Tip: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagano Zenkojiguchi is a nice place to stay after a day of exploring around Nagano Station. While the rooms aren’t big, we enjoyed our 4-day stay. The staff there are friendly and patient.
Explore Nakamise-dōri Street With a Guided Tour
If you prefer to be guided on Nakamise-dōri Street or want to join one of the interesting activities, how about joining one of the following tours?
The 7 Spice Blend (七味唐辛子) from Yawataya Isogorō (八幡屋磯五郎)
When you visit noodle restaurants in Japan, have you noticed that there is almost always a small round can of spice on one side of the table for you to add more flavor to your noodle soup? If you like the blend known as Shichimi in Japanese, the shop you must visit when you are around Nagano Station is Yawataya Isogorō. You can even make your special spice here!
Refer to our Yawataya Isogorō article for what you can expect when you get there!
Sake Buns (酒饅頭) at Tsuruya (酒饅頭本舗つるや)
The next Seven Specialties of Zenkōji (善光寺七名物) is the Sake Manjū/Buns (酒饅頭) sold at Tsuruya. Just like its name, when making the skin of the Sake Manjū, sake is used to ferment the dough. The red bean paste is then added to the fermented dough before the bun is steamed.
Back in the Edo period, the Kanai River (鐘鋳川) flowed in front of Zenkoji Temple. Along the river, many shops sold Manjū. However, as the Kanai River is not visible today because it flows underground, the Manjū shops no longer exist.
Manjū was originally from China. Monks who traveled to China to study Buddhism brought the recipe back to Japan in the Muromachi period (1336 – 1573). Instead of having pork or other meat as the main ingredient, bean paste was used as Japanese monks did not consume meat back then.
This is why Tsuruya, which opened in 1779, has been selling Sake Manjū instead of pork buns. The shop’s buns have a slightly pleasant sake scent, making them the perfect snack to share with your family and friends when you visit Zenkoji!
Unlike the Manjū sold elsewhere in Japan, Tsuruya’s are light, and the red bean paste isn’t overly sweet. The dough reminded us of the texture of cotton candy. The buns weren’t big, we could finish two without feeling stuffed afterwards!
Tsuruya’s Business Hours and Access Information
- The shop is open from 9 am to 4 pm or until sold out daily except Wednesdays and Tuesday afternoon.
- If Wednesday is a public holiday, the shop will open.
- It is around a 20-minute walk from Nagano Station.
- From Zenkoji, it is around a 10-minute walk.
Hanadouji (花童子) at Kukuya syunsui (九九や旬粋)
Kukuya syunsui is the shop closest to Zenkoji’s Sanmon Gate. The confectionery shop opened in 2006 and has been a favourite among visitors to Zenkoji. Kukufuku is the shop’s signature confectionery (refer to the 2nd photo in the IG post). The Western-style Manjū is a cinnamon and ginger-infused sweet. Locally harvested pinto beans are used to make the bean paste inside the Manjū.
What I love the most among Kukuya syunsui’s confectionery is Hanadouji (花童子). The sweet level is just right and has a firm but slightly chewy texture. The confectionery maker made the walnut so delicious that I liked it! Plus, eggs weren’t used to make the sweet!
There is also a crepe store inside Kukuya syunsui selling crepes made from a mixture of wheat and buckwheat flour. While we weren’t able to tell the crepes sold at fruit & crepe dolette apart from the normal ones, you might be able to tell the difference!
While you might see a line in front of the shop, don’t just follow the flow and queue. You need to purchase a ticket from the vending machine. The staff would make the crepes according to the number on the tickets. You still need to give your ticket to the staff so they can make your purchase. We got our crepe before those who queued ahead of us because we bought it from the vending machine first.
After getting your crepe, you are welcome to head up to the shop’s second floor to enjoy it. You can see Zenkoji’s Sanmon Gate from the windows.
Kukuya syunsui’s Business Hours and Access Information
- The shop is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
- It is around a 30-minute walk from Nagano Station.
- From Zenkō-ji, it is around a 3-minute walk.
Miso at Suyakame (すや亀)
Other than the sweet desserts, the next shop we want to recommend is a miso shop. Suyakame, founded in 1902, sells not only miso but also mouthwatering miso-flavored grilled rice balls!
The slightly burnt smell of the rice ball outside would make it really hard for anyone to resist. After enjoying those rice balls, you can also get a miso-flavored soft-serve cone with an exquisite balance of the savor of miso and the sweetness of the ice cream (*´ω｀).
Its main shop, located between Nagano Station and Zenkoji Temple, also has a café that serves light meals alongside the grilled rice balls. Please be aware that other menu items are not vegetarian-friendly.
Suyakame’s Business Hours and Access Information
- The main shop close to Zenkoji is open from
- 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday
- 9:30 am to 5 pm in winter on public holidays
- The Suyakame Cafe is open from 10:30 am to 5 pm, with lunch served from 11:30 am to 2 pm.
- Suyakame main shop is closed from December 31 to January 2.
- Suyakame Zenkōji Shop is just a 5-minute walk from Zenkō-ji.
- The Main Suyakame Shop is a 15-minute walk from both Nagano Station and Zenkō-ji Temple.
Nishinomon Yoshinoya Sake Brewery (西之門 よしのや)
For sake and plum wine lovers, remember to stop by Nishinomon Yoshinoya. They have a variety of sake for you to choose from. Of course, you can try them out before purchasing to ensure you are happy with the bottle you will bring home at the end of the day! The shop opens from 8:30 am, giving you the perfect excuse to start drinking from the morning (´▽｀*). As an expert in rice fermentation since the early 17th century, their miso and pickles in sake lees are also quite delicious.
Tips:
☛ Pre-book HERE to join a sake-tasting tour!
☛ Nishinomon Yoshinoya’s courtyard is a hidden cherry blossom spot near Zenkoji Temple.
Our Visit to Nishinomon Yoshinoya Sake Brewery
We were shocked by the size of their sake-sampling area. A sake tasting hall probably better describes the space! The ground floor of the building has several large desks, each a dedicated sake-sampling booth for a group of customers. You will be served by staff who will introduce you to their sake line-up and facilitate the sake sampling.
If you are not a fan of alcohol, there are other non-alcoholic beverages such as amazake and miso. Their amazake (fermented rice drink) comes in a couple of different flavors and is said to be one of the best amazakes in the country (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ. We were very happy with our amazake in the second photo in the Instagram post. Drinking it while reliving the trip’s good memories made us want to return to Nagano!
Like many other sake breweries, you can see Nishinomon Yoshinoya’s sake brewing facility. The brewing process is demonstrated using a series of photos shown in the 4th photo in the Instagram post.
A unique thing about Nishinomon Yoshinoya is its Japanese sake bottle label and cap museum. Per the last three photos in the Instagram post, the sake brewery has a wealth of sake labels and caps collected from around the country over the years!
NishinomonYoshinoya Sake Brewery’s Business Hours and Access Information
- The shop is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
- The sake brewery tour is held from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
- Nishinomon Yoshinoya is just a 7-minute walk from Zenkō-ji.
- From Nagano Station, it is a 25-minute walk.
Soba Noodles at Kado no Daimaru (かどの大丸)
Soba/buckwheat is the main staple food in the Shinshu region. So when you come to Nagano, you will notice that soba restaurants are on every other corner.
But which restaurant should you dine at, given the limited amount of time you have?
We recommend Kado no Daimaru! The noodles sold here must be delicious enough to keep the business going since the 18th century!
The restaurant opens at 9 am, the perfect place to start your day in Japanese style. Their handmade noodles often receive praise and rave customer reviews for being the best soba noodles they have ever tasted! The noodles are so delicious that you don’t even need the dipping sauce!
Just be aware that the dipping sauce and soup aren’t vegetarian. You can, however, bring your dipping sauce.
Kado no Daimaru’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Kado no Daimaru is open from 9 am to 6:30 pm.
- It is a 5-minute walk from Zenkō-ji Temple and a 10-minute walk from Zenkōjishita Station.
Soba noodle at Fujikian (門前そば処 藤木庵)
For those who want to eat soba noodles made from 100% buckwheat flour, Fujikian is the restaurant you may want to head to. Also, if you wish to try out different kinds of soba dipping sauce, Fujikian will definitely meet that request.
The restaurant, founded in the late Edo period, makes fresh soba every day by grinding the buckwheat delivered by their local farmers. The type of soba used there is called Kirishita Soba (霧下蕎麦). Grown in the northern Nagano Prefecture on the plateau, the high-quality buckwheat harvested there is a result of the significant temperature difference between day and night, as well as being surrounded by fog in spring and autumn.
Apart from the usual bonito dipping sauce, there are also grated yams and walnut sauces for you to enjoy (unfortunately, all three aren’t vegetarian)!
Fujikian’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Kado no Daimaru is open daily from 11 am to 3 pm except Tuesdays, unless it is a public holiday.
- The last order is taken at 2:30 pm.
- It is a 7-minute walk from Zenkō-ji Temple and a 10-minute walk from Zenkōjishita Station.
- Fujikan is close to the bus stop, Zenkōji Daimon (善光寺大門).
Incense at Kotaki (お香の店古薫)
If you enjoy the scent of incense, stop by Kotaki for its natural-ingredient incense. Being the only shop with an incense formulator stationed in the entire prefecture, their incense has an elegant aroma.
Whether it is the traditional incense for burning or a sachet, you can find a nice gift for yourself or anyone that holds an important place in your life.
There is also Zukō (塗香), an incense powder that can be used as perfume. Since ancient times, Zukō has been used to ward off evil spirits. So how about putting some Zukō around your neck and wrists so you smell nice and, at the same time, become an evil-spirits repellent?
If you are interested in making your own incense, they can accommodate that request too! It will only take about 20 – 30 minutes of your time, and you will walk away with the Zuko or sachet that emits your favorite smell!
Important: For incense-making experience, as there is currently no staff available who can speak English, they will rely on translation applications.
Kotaki’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Kotaki s open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm from Thursday to Monday.
- It is a 5-minute walk from Zenkō-ji Temple and a 10-minute walk from Zenkōjishita Station.
Oyaki (おやき) at Ogawanoshō (小川の庄 大門店)
Does anyone fancy making their own Oyaki Buns (おやき) on Nakamise-dōri Street? Oyaki is a Japanese dumpling made with vegetables, rice, or other fillings, wrapped in buckwheat and wheat flour dough and roasted or steamed. The great news is that it is vegan!
Enjoy making Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings), and you can have them in front of a traditional Japanese sunken hearth. A Nagano specialty, oyaki are roasted dumplings made of wheat and filled with seasonal vegetables or sweet bean paste. You will learn to make oyaki and roast them in a sunken hearth. After enjoying the warm dumplings by the fireplace, your guide will take you to Nagano’s laid-back area to visit some local shops around Zenkoji Temple.
At Ogawanoshō, if you don’t want to just sit and be served, you can make your own Oyaki for just 500 yen! Everything will be prepared for you, and you will be given an apron. They welcome everyone to make their own Oyaki here, even if you don’t speak Japanese!
The session will take around 40 minutes. You will get to make two Oyaki, and it comes with a cup of tea, too!
Tip: Pre-book your Oyaki-Making workshop HERE!
Of course, you can just order an Oyaki and relax around the traditional fireplace. Once you have placed an order at the register, feel free to get yourself a cup of tea and find a seat.
Once your order is ready, the staff will bring you freshly roasted Oyaki. As the oyaki runs out fast at Ogawanoshō, you will most likely witness how the traditional dumpling is made while you enjoy the delicious buns.
Ogawanoshō’s Business Hours and Access Information
- The shop is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily except Wednesdays.
- The hearth used to roast Oyaki is available from 10 am to 3 pm.
- If you want to make your own Oyaki, come after 1 pm on a weekday.
- It is an 8 to 10-minute walk from Zenkō-ji Temple and a 10-minute walk from Zenkōjishita Station.
Tenshin no Cake (てんしのけーき)
For all cake lovers, when you visit Jōyama Park for a relaxing stroll and cherry blossoms, remember to pay this family-owned cake shop next to the park a visit. It is a hidden gem popular amongst the locals but remains unknown to many tourists!
Opened in 2012, the shop aims to make cakes with minimum use of additives, preservatives, and artificial colorings. On top of that, white sugar is replaced with sugar beets.
The cakes there use the original flavors of the ingredients to ensure they still taste as good as those made with many artificial ingredients and white sugar.
Whilst cakes are normally categorized as junk food, what you get from Tenshin no Cake deserves a different category. These cakes are suitable for toddlers and/or young children!
Their cakes are not only healthier, but the chiffon cakes can be made from many different flavors! With miso being a famous local specialty, it is your chance to find out what miso-flavored chiffon cake tastes like!
Tip: If you are vegan, please check with the staff which biscuits on the shelf do not contain eggs or dairy. You can try out their soy milk whipped cream as well! Also, if you order in advance, they should be able to make an egg, dairy, and wheat-free cake. However, the cake must be at least 15 cm in diameter. To enquire, please email them at [email protected].
Tenshin no Cake’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Tenshin no Cake is open from
- 10 am to 1 pm and 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm from Wednesdays to Fridays
- 10 am to 6:30 pm on weekends and public holidays
- It is a 10-minute walk from Zenkō-ji Temple and a 20-minute walk from Zenkōjishita Station.
Explore the Chestnuts Town: Obuse
If you are not in a hurry, we recommend you stop by Obuse for their delicious chestnut desserts and the dramatic ukiyo-e that the town is renowned for.
Find out more about what you can do and where to go, and of course, where to eat when you get to this gorgeous town from our Obuse article (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
You can even visit someone’s backyard without notifying the owner!
Visit the Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park
We have all seen humans enjoying the hot springs. You might have already indulged in an onsen during the winter to warm up and let the rich minerals moisturize your skin.
But have you ever seen monkeys doing the same?
If you want to see some, follow our article on Jigokudani Monkey Park to find out the best time of the year to visit and how to get there!
