An ancient Japanese Buddhist temple which cancelled its role in the Olympic torch relay has been vandalised.

The Zenkoji Buddhist Temple in the city of Nagano was to have been the starting point for the Olympic torch relay in Japan next Saturday.

But last week monks withdrew permission for the staging of the relay at the heritage listed site in support of Tibetan Buddhists and because of security concerns.

Overnight the temple has been struck by vandals who used white spray paint to mark patterns on doors and pillars at the 1,400-year-old temple.

Police say they are investigating whether the vandalism is related to the torch relay decision.

Security has been stepped up for Saturday's event with up to 3,000 police mobilised, many of them riot squad officers.