Rare ritual in Nagano

A sacred ritual that takes place once every seven years will take place April 5-May 31, 2009, at the 1,400-year-old Zenkoji Temple in central Nagano: a window of the three Buddha statues will be opened. The temple is the largest wooden structure in Japan and houses the country’s oldest Buddhist statue, from the sixth century. For info, contact Japan National Tourist Office (213/623-1952, www.japantravelinfo.com) or visit (in Japanese only) www.gokaicho.com.