Minochi

Minochi lies in the valleys of northern Shinano, home to the temple of Zenkōji. Its revered image of Amida Buddha drew worshippers from far beyond the surrounding mountains, and a town grew up along the approach to the temple. After a fire destroyed the main hall in 1700, donations were collected throughout Japan for its rebuilding. The hall completed in 1707 gave the pilgrims a new setting for a devotion that crossed the boundaries of Buddhist sects.