Embracing tech to open Japan’s first, unmanned temple lodging

Parishioners at Shoden-ji Temple, in Tokyo’s central Minato Ward, have been on the decline since the end of World War 2. This is in part of land prices steadily rising, eventually pushing residents out. In a bid to survive, the temple is now using technology to diversify. In July, it announced the opening of Japan’s first 24-hour, unmanned temple lodging.

The temple worked with Share Wing Inc., which runs the Temple Stay program, opening Temple Hotel Shoden-ji. Guests can use a videophone to check in or out whenever they like. They can also reserve use of the onsite conference room or the main temple building.

The company says it plans to collaborate with about 100 temples this year and help about ten to open temple lodgings, as many temples throughout Japan struggle with the consequences of depopulation. It estimates that around 30% of the nation’s over 77,000 temples will close by 2040 due to the lack of parishioners.

The depopulation caused by Japan’s ageing population and low birthrate is worse in rural areas. Priests, who have taken on the duties of additional temples without successors, are dangerously overworked. Share Wing leverages on the ample room available at temples, introducing IT to help diversify temple earnings and reduce workload.

Currently, Share Wing is working with UsideU to create an avatar. It will perform customer sales and information services for Shoden-ji Temple and other temple lodgings. They have named it Amatar, as a play on the Japanese word for a Buddhist nun, and her bald head and simple clothing make her look like one. The technology also has the potential to allow the remote management of multiple temples.

Another project is also starting in Shoden-ji Temple, which aims to build a new support community and earnings stream for it. In a joint project with students from Toyo Gakuen University, Temple Hotel Shoden-ji is set to hold workshops for guests in making amulets, rosaries or hand-copied sutras. It wants to tap on the demand from foreign travelers. The students are preparing to carry out public relations activities for the workshops, too, to assist their studies as project-based learning.