VI
EN
Japan is ablaze with the colors of spring, with a festive atmosphere filling the streets at the start of the year. Millions of Japanese people have been flocking to ancient temples and shrines to participate in the Hatsumode ceremony – a long-standing tradition – to pray for good fortune, health, and peace in the new year.
One of the familiar sights at temples and shrines during the Lunar New Year in Japan is the jingling sound of coins being dropped into donation boxes. This Saisen ritual is not only an integral part of the Hatsumode ceremony but also carries profound cultural significance.
Zojoji Temple, a long-standing cultural icon of Tokyo, has created a new wave in the tradition of visiting temples at the beginning of the year by pioneering the application of modern technology.
Each coin dropped into the donation box represents a sincere prayer, expressing the people's reverence for the deities and their wish for good fortune in the new year. The money collected from Saisen is used by the temple to maintain and preserve its architectural structures, organize charitable activities, and contribute to building a united and warm community. Although there are no specific regulations regarding the denominations of coins, people often choose small coins, demonstrating their sincerity and humility.
In line with the trend of digitizing daily activities, since the end of December, Zojoji Temple has begun implementing online payment via Paypay as a simple option, alongside the traditional "coin toss" method. Digitizing temple activities is not simply a change in payment methods, but a significant step in adapting to modern consumer trends. Recognizing the growing demand from visitors, especially young people, for convenient and fast experiences, Zojoji Temple has proactively applied technology to create a new and more convenient form of offering.
Scanning QR codes to perform the Saisen ritual not only saves visitors time but also minimizes the risk of losing money, providing a greater sense of security and comfort. According to Abbot Takechi Kimihide of Zojoji Temple, the Saisen custom is meant to cultivate the abandonment of greed, anger, and delusion, and online payment methods do not diminish this meaning.
Instead of the familiar sight of metal coins falling into a donation box, the temple cleverly combined traditional elements with digital technology, encouraging visitors to scan QR codes to perform the ritual.
With an increasing number of domestic and international visitors coming to the temple without coins and using online payment methods, the demand for cashless Saisen rituals is expected to increase in the future.
Zojoji Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Tokyo, with a history spanning hundreds of years. It is renowned not only for its rich history but also for its exquisite architecture and its connection to the famous Tokugawa family.
Every year, Zojoji Temple holds a large-scale New Year's celebration praying for national peace and prosperity, making it one of the most visited temples in Japan's capital at the beginning of the year.
