Despite convenience of QR code donations, most worshippers still prefer to offer cash

As Japanese businesses slowly move toward adopting cashless payments, some temples and shrines are beginning to follow suit for donations. Yet worshippers are divided by the move by religious institutions, with some still shunning the method, saying they feel it will bring them worse luck. Kaigen Temple in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture, last year started to use the smartphone service PayPay to receive offerings. The temple later received a lot of attention after it introduced what it called a “cloud visit” in the busy year-end period.