Many major Japanese cities have evolved either as castle towns, harbor towns or temple towns. Nagano is a good example of a town which has developed around a temple of great importance. In Nagano's case, that temple was Zenkoji.
One of the most visited temples in Japan, Zenkoji was founded 1400 years ago and stores, what many believe to be the first Buddhist statue ever brought to Japan. A copy of the statue is shown to the public every six years for a few weeks. The next opportunity will in 2015.
Most recently rebuilt in 1707, Zenkoji's main hall has a tunnel in its basement in which visitors are trying to find and touch the "key to paradise" in complete darkness. The key is attached to the wall and grants enlightenment to anybody who touches it.
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