This is the 5th stop on your Zenkoji Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage (Shichifukujin Meguri) and is dedicated to Hotei, the god of happiness, good fortune, and abundance. He’s often depicted as a smiling, round-bellied figure carrying a large cloth sack—symbolizing contentment and generosity.

Unlike the other stops, there’s no dedicated shrine or temple here—just a small altar with several statues displayed in a glass case, along with an offering box and a self-serve stamp station. Be sure to bring a 100 yen coin and place it in the offering box, and double-check the placement of the stamp on your shikishi.

The altar is located to the right of the entrance to Fujiya Gohonjin, one of Nagano’s most well-known and highly rated restaurants.

This is a quick and simple stop. If you’re not doing the Seven Lucky Gods route, it’s completely skippable, but it’s an important part of the pilgrimage if you are.