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Japan has entered its New Year holiday season, a time when many people visit major temples and shrines to enjoy the scenery and pray for a peaceful year ahead.

Traditionally, Japanese visitors bring small-denomination coins to perform the "coin offering" ritual, known as Saisen, which is akin to donating a small amount for temple maintenance, before clasping their hands to pray. These coins are collected and used for communal activities by the temple.

Adapting to the digital age, Zojoji Temple in Tokyo began offering PayPay digital payment options alongside the traditional Saisen ritual in late December. This initiative aims to cater to tech-savvy younger visitors who prefer cashless payments while reducing the labor required to handle and deposit coins into financial institutions. It also aligns with Japan's broader movement toward cashless transactions.

According to Abbot Takechi Kimihide of Zojoji Temple, the Saisen ritual symbolizes letting go of greed and worldly desires, a spiritual significance that remains intact with digital payments. The temple sees a growing number of domestic and international visitors, many of whom now prefer using digital payment methods, indicating a rise in demand for cashless Saisen in the future.Thông báo nhận Saisen qua Paypay trước cửa vào điện chính của chùa Zojoji - Ảnh: TTXVN

Zojoji Temple, one of Tokyo’s most renowned Buddhist temples, boasts centuries of history and intricate architecture. It is closely associated with the famous Tokugawa clan and hosts large-scale New Year events, making it a popular destination for first visits of the year (Hatsumode).

In addition to Zojoji, PayPay’s digital Saisen service is now available at seven other worship sites nationwide, including Inage Shrine in Kawasaki and Higashibetsuin Temple in Nagoya. Similarly, Mizuho Bank’s J-Coin Pay service has been introduced at about 80 religious facilities across Japan for the New Year, with plans for expansion in the coming year.