Japan temple where ‘maids’ discuss Buddhism to attract visitors creates pop idol group, sparks controversy and curiosity
- Kyoto’s Ryuganji Temple boosts visitor numbers with ‘modern’ initiatives
- Embraces social media, fashion videos, noodle challenges, and pop music
A 4,300-year-old Japanese temple has created a female pop group and is employing maids wearing Buddhist-style outfits to attract visitors.
The innovation has ignited a mix of curiosity and controversy online in Japan and China.
Ryuho Ikeguchi, 44, the 24th abbot of Ryuganji Temple in Kyoto, eastern Japan, initiated the changes in response to the dwindling number of traditional visitors.
His strategy started with embracing social media to engage with younger generations.
The temple created official accounts on YouTube and X that included unique content such as monks’ “outfit of the day” and spicy noodle challenges.
For example, in an outfit-of-the-day video, a monk dons traditional robes, prayer beads and hats, blending classical Buddhist elements with modern aesthetics such as on-trend Morandi colours.