Zenko-ji Temple Coloring Pages

Visit Zenko-ji Temple Once in Your Life! A Super Popular Temple Since Long Ago

Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, is a very historic temple built a long, long time ago, about 1,400 years ago! People used to say, "Even if you live far away, visit Zenko-ji Temple at least once." For hundreds of years, people across Japan have dreamed of visiting. They gather here from all over the country!

The Name's Origin! It Came from Mr. Yoshimitsu Honda

The name Zenko-ji Temple comes from the name of the man who first built it, Mr. Yoshimitsu Honda. (In Japanese, his given name, Yoshimitsu, can also be read as Zenko!) It all started when Mr. Yoshimitsu carefully carried a shining Buddha statue (Amida Nyorai) to present-day Nagano Prefecture and placed it here to honor it. So, the temple was named "Zenko-ji Temple" after him!

A Warm Welcome to Everyone! A Temple with No Single Sect

Most temples belong to a specific group or belief, called a sect. But Zenko-ji Temple has no single sect! Long ago, women could not visit many temples. But Zenko-ji Temple has always been a kind temple that warmly welcomes everyone, men and women, no matter what they believe!

A National Treasure! The Super Giant Main Hall

The Main Hall stands proudly deep inside the temple grounds. It is named a National Treasure as the largest wooden building in Eastern Japan! It is about 29 meters tall and about 54 meters deep. Looking up at it close by will take your breath away because it is so huge and powerful! Rebuilt in the Edo period, it is a true treasure made with Japan's best woodworking skills.

It Looks Like a Bell Mallet from Above!? The T-Shaped Roof

The shape of Zenko-ji Temple's Main Hall is so unique that even building experts are amazed! Looking down from above, it forms a T-shape. This shape looks like a wooden mallet used to strike a temple bell, so it is called Shumoku-zukuri (mallet style). It has a cool 3D shape that looks like two buildings joined together!

Made of Many Layers of Tree Bark! The Great Cypress Roof

If you look closely at the big roof of the Main Hall, you will see it is made of wood, not roof tiles. This uses a traditional Japanese method called Hiwadabuki. Craftsmen carefully layer many pieces of Japanese cypress bark by hand. You can really feel the warm, heavy look of natural wood!

A Dark Pitch-Black Adventure! The Mystery of the Corridor Walk

Underneath the Main Hall, there is a pitch-black tunnel where you can try a mysterious activity called Okaidan-meguri! No light enters at all. You walk slowly through the total darkness, keeping your right hand on the wall to guide you. Legend says if you touch the Key to Paradise along the way, you can go to Heaven! You will feel just like a real explorer!

Birds and a Cow Hidden in the Words!? The Secret of the Sanmon Gate

In front of the Main Hall sits a giant main gate called the Sanmon Gate. It holds a large sign with the words "Zenko-ji Temple" written in grand letters. Look closely at the words to find a fun secret! Hidden inside the three Japanese characters for "Zen," "Ko," and "Ji," you can find 5 hidden pigeons! Plus, the top part of the word "Zen" is shaped to look like a cow's face. It is a very playful sign!

Led by a Cow to Zenko-ji Temple! A Famous Story

Zenko-ji Temple has a famous story called "Led by a cow to visit Zenko-ji Temple." Once upon a time, a greedy old woman who never prayed had her cloth snatched by a cow's horn while it was drying. She chased after the cow frantically to get her cloth back, and ended up right at Zenko-ji Temple! That visit changed her heart, and she became a kind and faithful person.

A Giant Event Once Every 7 Years! The Gokaicho Festival

The most important Buddha statue at Zenko-ji Temple is a secret statue that no one is allowed to see. But once every 7 years (by traditional age counting), a special event called Gokaicho is held! During this time, a replica statue that looks just like the secret Buddha is shown to everyone. A giant wooden pillar called a Eiko-hashira is set up in front of the Main Hall, and millions of people visit from all around the world!

How to Choose Colors: Warm Historical Wood and Beautiful Temple Grounds

Basic building colors: The main hall of Zenko-ji Temple is a historic wooden building, so try using deep, rich wood colors.

Bright accent colors for the grounds: The building itself has calm colors, but you can use bright colors for the decorations!

How to Make the Grand Roof and Building Look 3D

The coloring page line art shows many overlapping roof layers and detailed wooden supports under the eaves. Here is how to use these lines to make your coloring page look 3D! Places in shadow

Places in the light

Color the Big Front Curtain and Large Lantern

The front of the main hall is decorated with a big white curtain and a large lantern. They make the temple look very grand!

Add Texture to the Stone Path and Large Incense Burner

In front of the main hall, you can see a long stone path for visitors and a big bronze incense burner with puffs of smoke!

The Main Hall, a National Treasure that People Say "You Must Visit At Least Once in Your Life"

Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano Prefecture is a very famous temple with a long history of about 1,400 years. Its huge Main Hall is a National Treasure and one of the largest wooden buildings in eastern Japan. For a long time, people across Japan have loved it so much that they say, "You must visit Zenko-ji Temple at least once in your life."

Everyone is Welcome! A Temple Open to All Faiths

Many Japanese temples belong to specific religious groups, but Zenko-ji Temple is special because it welcomes anyone, no matter what their beliefs are. It has always been cherished as a warm place that prays for everyone's happiness, no matter who you are.

The Legend of "Led to Zenko-ji Temple by a Cow"

There is a famous saying in Japan: "Led to Zenko-ji Temple by a cow." It means "an unexpected event leads you in a good direction." The story goes that a cow snagged a mean old woman's drying cloth on its horns and ran off. She chased the cow like mad and ended up at Zenko-ji Temple, which helped her become a kind person!

The "Absolute Secret Buddha" No One Has Ever Seen

The main Buddha statue at Zenko-ji Temple is said to be the oldest Buddha statue in Japan. However, no one is allowed to see it because it is an "Absolute Secret Buddha." Even the head priest cannot look at it in his whole lifetime! Only once every seven years, a substitute statue is shown to the public.

The Pitch-Black "Okaidan-meguri" Tunnel Walk

Under the floor of the Main Hall, there is an underground tunnel called "Okaidan-meguri." You can try an exciting, special experience where you feel your way forward in total darkness where no light can reach. If you touch the "Key to Paradise" on the wall, you can make a special connection with the Buddha!