We are pleased to share that PlanetDAO004 “Hokoji Temple” was featured on Fuji TV’s Live News It!, broadcast on May 19, 2026. The segment highlighted our initiative to preserve a 200-year-old temple without a resident monk, located near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kumano Kodo in Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama Prefecture — co-owned and revitalized as a temple lodging by local residents and “Japan fans” from around the world. The archived segment is now available on FNN Prime Online.
“Foreign Visitors Seeking Zen Experiences Support Traditional Culture Through the Revitalization of a Temple Without a Resident Monk Along the Kumano Kodo”
https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/1046760
* Please note that the FNN Prime Online content is available in Japanese only.
Approximately 20,000 “Unstaffed Temples” Across Japan — One in Four Without a Resident Monk
The program reported that of the approximately 76,000 temples nationwide, an estimated 20,000 — about one in four — are “temples without resident monks.” Behind this trend lie the aging of Buddhist priests, a shortage of successors, and depopulation of rural areas. Several temples in the Kumano Kodo region face similar challenges in continuing their stewardship.
Of the approximately 76,000 temples across Japan, an estimated 20,000 have no resident monk.
“We Cannot Protect It Alone” — Voices from the Local Community
Hokoji Temple, featured in the program, is a 200-year-old temple in Nachi-Katsuura. While it appears well-maintained at first glance, the shoji screens and walls show visible signs of deterioration, and restoration costs are estimated at approximately 22 million yen. The temple is managed by Rev. Nishiyama of nearby Daitaiji Temple — a historic temple said to have been founded by Saicho — who also oversees five other unstaffed temples in the surrounding area.
“The population in this district is declining, and our community is aging. Even though we have the will to protect this temple, in our current state, we simply cannot do it alone.”
“This temple has been protected by our ancestors. We want to do whatever it takes to pass it down to future generations.”
“Even if they are not Japanese — even if they come from overseas — we are grateful that there are people willing to help protect places like this.”
The desire to protect the temple, and the reality that the local community alone cannot sustain it. The voices of local residents convey both feelings at once.
Local residents say that with the district’s population declining, maintaining the temple has become increasingly difficult.
“I Want to Stay at a Temple” — Strong Demand from Overseas
Meanwhile, the temple lodging operated by Rev. Nishiyama at Daitaiji Temple has become particularly popular among international visitors. Approximately 80% of guests are travelers from overseas, and reservations are often fully booked.
One international guest interviewed in the program said: “I was looking for a wonderful place to stay, and I learned I could stay at a temple. I’m not used to sleeping on futons laid out on the floor, but it feels uniquely Japanese, and I’m looking forward to trying it.”
Rev. Nishiyama commented: “There are people who want to experience Zen and stay at a temple, but cannot get a reservation. At the same time, temples without resident monks are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. I have long wondered whether we could connect these two realities.”
Temple lodging experiences are popular, with approximately 80% of guests being foreign visitors.
The “Stock-Company-Type DAO” — A Framework for Co-Ownership
The framework introduced for the revitalization of Hokoji Temple is the Stock-Company-Type DAO, operated by PlanetDAO — a project launched by Gaiax. For each temple to be revitalized, a dedicated stock company is established to own the property, and shares are offered to supporters in Japan and abroad through small-lot investment. The chief priest, local residents, and investors all participate as co-owners in the preservation and use of the temple, with revenues from temple lodging operations distributed to investors. It is neither charity nor mere investment, but a new form of shared participation in heritage preservation.
Rev. Nishiyama shared the following:
“Because so many different people are now co-owners, all kinds of ideas come in. Things that local residents had taken for granted are suddenly praised by others as ‘amazing,’ and that helps us recognize the value of what we’ve been protecting all along.”
How PlanetDAO works — a dedicated company owns the temple, with local residents and investors serving as co-owners.
Approximately 75% of Investors from Overseas — “I Want People to Know Japan’s Culture and Countryside”
Approximately 75% of Hokoji Temple’s co-owners are international investors. Mr. Barros, based in the UK, shared his reasons for investing:
“I have a deep interest in traditional buildings and Japanese culture. Being able to preserve these through a project like this felt truly meaningful. With so many people coming to Japan from around the world, I want them to see not just the cities, but also rural areas like this.”
Mr. Bohl, originally from Germany and now living in Japan, first invested in another building restoration project before visiting Hokoji Temple. After touring the temple, he joined Rev. Nishiyama and local residents in clearing weeds and wiping the floors. “This is my first time wiping the floor of a temple. It’s a rare experience,” he said. After finishing the cleaning, Mr. Bohl looked out at the garden and remarked simply, “Beautiful view.” The sight of overseas investors not only contributing financially but also visiting in person to help care for the temple speaks to a new kind of relationship between heritage sites and their supporters.
A PlanetDAO investor visits the temple and joins in the cleaning — it’s his first time wiping a temple floor.
Goal Achieved with 52 Investors — Reopening as Temple Lodging in November 2026
The Hokoji Temple project successfully reached its fundraising goal, raising 26.9 million yen from 52 investors. The temple is scheduled to reopen as a temple lodging facility around November 2026.
Voices from the Studio
In the program’s studio segment, a commentator offered the following remark:
“Many of us were not even aware that traditional Japanese temples were in such a situation. We hope news like this becomes a catalyst for Japanese people themselves to take action.”
The voices of local residents — “We want to protect it, but cannot do it alone” — and of international investors — “I want to be part of preserving Japanese culture” — are now being woven together through a single framework, here in Nachi-Katsuura.