Originally written December 2018
One of the lovely things about staying in Nagano was discovering that Zenkoji Temple was only about a 30-minute walk from our accommodation.
And by sheer luck, we happened to be there during the time of year when the temple and surrounding streets were illuminated at night.
So naturally, we went for a walk. 
The streets leading towards the temple were already glowing with lights, and the closer we got, the more beautiful everything became.
There was something very peaceful about seeing the temple at night.
The lanterns were glowing, the streets were quieter, and the whole area had a completely different atmosphere from what we had seen during the day.
After spending the previous days chasing trains, snow and various travel plans, it was actually nice to have an evening where we didn’t have to chase anything. 
We simply walked.
Looked around.
Took photos.
And enjoyed being there.
Sometimes the best things on a trip are the ones you didn’t particularly plan for.
And this one was only a 30-minute walk from our hotel.
Stories Along the Way 