A group of Buddhist temples in Kyoto Prefecture launched a cashless payment service in April that conceals visitors' temple choices to protect religious freedom. Omairi Pay was introduced by the Kyoto Buddhist Organization and Valuedesign Inc.
The Kyoto Buddhist Organization, comprising about 1,100 temples, had long been cautious about cashless payments, viewing religious activities as separate from secular business. The move comes amid rising foreign visitors who favor cashless transactions.
Omairi Pay enables payments for admission fees or items like amulets using credit cards, transport IC cards, or e-money via dedicated devices at each temple. Individual temple and shrine names are not disclosed to payment providers.
The service launched on April 1 at a shop in Eikando Zenrinji Temple, with plans to expand to other Kyoto temples, including Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. It is scheduled for admission fees in July and may extend to offerings eventually.
"I am glad that we have been able to introduce a cashless payment service based on our philosophy," said Sojun Saburi, an executive director of the organization. He referred to the privacy protection against third-party access to worshippers' personal information and religious activities.
Preexisting money transfer services for cashless payments are already in use at some temples, such as Tokyo's Zojoji, popular with foreign visitors.