Zenkoji Special Viewing × Nagano Wine "Drops of God" Premium Dinner Tour Was Held!

From January 24 to 26, the Zenkoji Temple Special Viewing x Nagano Wine "Drops of God" Premium Dinner Tour was held at Zenkoji Temple in Nagano Prefecture!

This tour was a premium dinner experience where guests could enjoy a special viewing at the National Treasure Zenkoji Temple alongside "The Drops of God," as well as a pairing of Nagano's proud "NAGANO WINE" with fermented foods. Guided in both English and Japanese, with the head priests personally guiding guests through areas usually off-limits to the public, the tour offered truly premium content that created a buzz among wine lovers both domestically and internationally, especially inbound travelers.

Please take a look at the tour report.

【O-juzu Chodai (Blessing with Rosary Beads)】
As the head priests of Zenkoji—the Kanshu (Chief Abbot) of Daikanjin and the Shonin (Chief Priestess) of Daihongan—proceed to the Main Hall to officiate, they touch the heads of kneeling worshippers along the way with prayer beads in hand, bestowing blessings. We received this sacred ritual along the temple approach.

【Zenkoji Main Hall】
—Zenkoji Special Memorial Service, Main Hall Okaidan-meguri, Sutra Repository (Kyozo), Sanmon Gate—
Built in 1707, it is the fourth largest wooden structure designated as a National Treasure.
We attended a special service and received a sacred talisman in close proximity to the principal image, an area normally restricted to the public.
(Normally, services are held by the Tendai sect from 11:00 AM and by the Jodo sect from 12:00 PM.)

Beneath the Ruridan altar lies the Okaidan-meguri passage, which is said to assure rebirth in the Pure Land.
Tour participants took part in this experience as well; in total darkness, everyone managed to find and touch the "Keyhole to Paradise."

【Zenkoji Daihongan Omote Shoin】 —Audience (O-ai) / Osaito (Simulated Ordination)— Guests had an audience with the Nikko Shonin (the head priestess, or her representative, the deputy head priestess) and experienced Osaito, a ritual offering a glimpse into entering the Buddhist priesthood. During the ritual, each participant received a Buddhist name (Houmyo). The international participants in particular seemed deeply intrigued by the meanings behind their kanji-written Buddhist names.

【Zenkoji Daihongan Meishoden】 —Battojutsu Swordsmanship Performance, Sword Exhibition / Hands-on / Explanation— Here, we were treated to a demonstration of battojutsu, the art of drawing and cutting with a sword using rolled straw mats. Captivated by the impressive display using real swords, participants were later given a special opportunity to view and actually touch the blades, some of which dated back to the Sengoku (Warring States) period. It was an exceptionally rare experience.

【Zenkoji Daikanjin Goma-do Hall】 —Goma Fire Ritual Experience— Here, we experienced the Goma fire ritual. Participants also received wooden tablets to write down their wishes.

— Zenkoji × Nagano Wine "Drops of God" Premium Dinner

Here, a collaboration dinner took place with the widely popular wine manga "Drops of God" (Kami no Shizuku), well-known not only among wine lovers but across Japan and internationally.
For this special day, the original author of "Drops of God" and Nagano Wine Ambassador / Sommelier Junya Hanaoka prepared a selection of Nagano wines gathered from across the prefecture to "deliver the ultimate pairing experience of Nagano's food and wine."

Guests enjoyed these along with Nagano's fresh and diverse ingredients, as well as traditional fermented foods said to be a source of longevity.

The menu, created exclusively for this evening by Chef Mitsuhiro Umetsu of Karuizawa Marriott Hotel, showcased world-class local ingredients and fermented products from Nagano Prefecture.
Some dishes even featured rare ingredients like a limited-edition 10-year aged miso!

In a thorough approach, explanations for all food and wines at the dinner were provided in both English and Japanese.
The evening opened with remarks from Nagano Governor Abe, followed by a toast led by Nagano Wine Ambassador Mr. Hanaoka.

Winemakers also participated in the dinners on a rotating daily basis, and on this day, guests were treated to an explanation of the wines by Mr. Kusunoki of Kusunoki Winery.

It was truly a luxurious tour offering a "one-of-a-kind" experience.
Participants from both Japan and abroad seemed thoroughly delighted by this special occasion.

https://nihonwine.jp/nihonwine-news/zenkojiprenaganowine/