[Nagano] Motozenkoji Temple, a tranquil place of worship

#Spring0yentrip Motozenkoji Temple has a quiet and calm atmosphere different from Zenkoji Temple in Nagano. It is located a little away from the town of Iida, and if you walk leisurely, you will find the temple grounds surrounded by trees. You will be greeted by a magnificent mountain gate and main hall, and there are many monuments and signs in the temple grounds indicating the connection to Zenkoji Temple, making it clear that this is "another Zenkoji Temple". When I went up to the main hall and put my hands together, I was impressed by the atmosphere, which was different from the one I felt at Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, as it was a simple and friendly place of prayer. Rather than a tourist spot, the atmosphere was comfortable as a place of faith cherished by the locals, and I was able to spend my time leisurely. I felt like I understood a little bit more about why people say "If you go to Zenkoji Temple, please visit Motozenkoji Temple as well."