We Want to Increase the Number of People Enjoying Shrine and Temple Architecture Throughout Japan – Master Craftsman Group Takumi Kodo Holds Shrine and Temple Architecture Lectures That Are Both Amusing and Easy to Learn

We are participating in April Dream, an initiative to disseminate dreams on April 1st. This press release is the dream of "Takumi Kodo Co., Ltd."

Background of Takumi Kodo's Dream

It is said that there are approximately 160,000 temples and shrines in Japan. However, in recent years, due to declining religious interest and a declining birthrate, the number of parishioners and temple patrons supporting shrines and temples has been decreasing. While people may have opportunities to visit famous temples and shrines for events like New Year's visits, there are concerns that the number of people visiting regularly will further decrease in the future. We, who are involved in this field, are also gradually experiencing these changes.

The decrease in income for temples and shrines makes it difficult to secure the necessary funds for the maintenance and repair of their buildings. On the other hand, shrines and temples symbolize Japan's original landscape and culture, and passing on their valuable wooden architecture to the next generation holds great cultural and historical significance. We do not want this landscape to be lost during our generation. Takumi Kodo, a group of master carpenters based in Kyoto specializing in the design and construction of shrine and temple architecture, plays a role in preserving this culture and passing it on to the future.

Since its founding in 2001, Takumi Kodo has been involved in initiatives for the general public to learn about shrine and temple architecture, in addition to its core business. Through accepting junior and senior high school field trips, giving lectures, hosting university student fieldwork, corporate tours, and construction site tours, they have conveyed the charm of shrine and temple architecture and the work of master carpenters to over 2,000 people.

Nevertheless, many people still feel that "shrine and temple architecture seems difficult" or "it's too specialized and has a high barrier to entry." Traditional lecture formats also made it difficult for people to participate casually.

Therefore, to pique the interest of more people, Takumi Kodo has planned a new, casual, and experiential event. This event, which began in 2025, is an original program where participants can listen to the representative of the master carpenter group Takumi Kodo while enjoying alcoholic and soft drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. It was created as a place where even those who have never had the opportunity to experience shrine and temple architecture can easily participate.

By lowering the psychological barrier to participation, we aim to provide people who have had no prior contact with shrine and temple architecture the opportunity to experience its charm and encourage them to visit temples and shrines.

This initiative is part of Takumi Kodo's social contribution activities, aimed at promoting understanding of shrine and temple architecture culture and passing it on to the next generation.

Planning and Operation of the Original Event "Yurutto Shaji Kenchiku Talk ♪"

Based on the background above, in 2025, in addition to the usual workshop tours and acceptance of school trips, Takumi Kodo held two original events titled "Yurutto Shaji Kenchiku Talk ♪" (Relaxed Shrine and Temple Architecture Talk ♪).

In both events, participants enjoyed listening to "chuckle-worthy" stories about shrine and temple architecture from Takumi Kodo's representative, Yokogawa, in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying drinks.

1st Session: [Event] Held on May 8, 2025 (Completed) "Yurutto Shaji Kenchiku Talk ♪ 1st Session" ~Shrine and Temple Architecture Talk with a Craft Beer in Hand♪~

On May 8, 2025, in cooperation with "KBL THE GARAGE," a craft beer brewery and pub near Kyoto Central Wholesale Market, the first "Yurutto Shaji Kenchiku Talk ♪" was held. This event allowed participants to learn about the charm of shrine and temple architecture and the techniques of master carpenters in a relaxed atmosphere with a beer in hand.

On the day, in addition to the shrine and temple architecture talk, a special program combining a tour of the craft beer brewery was conducted, and it concluded with great success.

Feedback from the post-event survey included comments such as:

• This was the first time I heard about eaves! I always aimed for National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, but I'm grateful for this new perspective!!

• President Yokogawa's talk was specialized yet very interesting. The participants were also interesting people, and I enjoyed interacting with them.

• It was a fun and very educational event with a good, informal atmosphere!

• The part about the attic in the first half. I had never paid attention to it before, so it was good to learn something new.

We felt that the initial goal of "creating an opportunity to become interested in shrine and temple architecture" was achieved, and it became an event where participants could enjoy both learning and experience in a relaxed atmosphere.

2nd Session: [Event] Held on July 18, 2025 (Completed) "Yurutto Shaji Kenchiku Talk ♪ 2nd Session" ~Where are the Shrines and Temples Recommended by Master Carpenter Group Representative Yokogawa!?~

On July 18, 2025, the second "Yurutto Shaji Kenchiku Talk ♪" was held at SIGHTS KYOTO in Miyagawa-cho, Kyoto. To coincide with the timing before the summer holidays, the theme was set as "Where are the Shrines and Temples Recommended by Master Carpenter Group Representative Yokogawa!?"

In the event, Yokogawa, who loves shrine and temple architecture from all over Japan, introduced his "recommended points" in a way that was easy for the general public to understand and also interesting. This was a different approach from the first session, aiming to provide an opportunity for participants to actually visit shrines and temples.

Feedback from the post-event survey included comments such as:

• I participated because I most wanted to hear what a master carpenter thought was amazing about these buildings. It was as interesting as I expected. I will participate again!

• I was very surprised to hear today that most temple roofs have an upward curve at the eaves. I was impressed by how ancient architecture pursued beauty.

• I learned about unknown shrines and temples through Mr. Yokogawa's interesting talk, and I definitely want to visit them.

"Yurutto Shaji Kenchiku Talk ♪ 3rd Session" Scheduled for April 23, 2026

On April 23, 2026 (Thursday) from 7:00 PM, the "Yurutto Shaji Kenchiku Talk ♪ 3rd Session" ~The Beauty and Structure of "Karahafu" (Gable Roof) Deciphered by Master Carpenter Group Representative Yokogawa~ will be held at "Uneno Co., Ltd.'s" store, "Additive-Free Dashi and Side Dish Store ALLOUNENO" in Kyoto.

Details will be announced on the Takumi Kodo website as they are finalized.

<Event Overview (Tentative)>

Date and Time: April 23, 2026 (Thursday) 19:00~

Venue: ALLOUNENO
Address: 1F Maison de Dore Gojo, 557 Honshiogama-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Theme: The Beauty and Structure of "Karahafu" (Gable Roof) Deciphered by Master Carpenter Group Representative Yokogawa

Future Developments

So far, these events have been held within Kyoto City. In the future, we aim to expand nationwide, conveying the charm of shrine and temple architecture, which varies by era, style, and region, and creating more opportunities for everyone to casually experience it.

We will deliver content from the basics of shrine and temple architecture to amusing trivia from various angles, making it something that people will "want to talk about" after the event.

The value of shrine and temple architecture is not conveyed simply by its existence. Culture is passed down to the next generation only when more people feel "it's interesting," "I want to know more," and "it's fun." We at Takumi Kodo want to be the catalyst for that initial spark.

Comment from Representative Soichiro Yokogawa

Shrine and temple architecture has so many angles, and they are all specialized. Many people feel "it's difficult..." before they can even feel its charm. Even reading specialized books doesn't seem to sink in.

But in reality, their forms, shaped by techniques passed down for over a thousand years and the unique aesthetic sense of the Japanese people, are simply "beautiful."

We want to bridge the gap between "difficult" and "beautiful" even just a little.

With that thought in mind, we started this talk event with "casual" as our keyword.

Fortunately, it has been well-received, and we are now preparing for the third session. We plan to continue this series. We hope you will experience the depth and beauty of Japan's unique shrine and temple architecture.

About Takumi Kodo

Company Name: Takumi Kodo Co., Ltd.
Location: 413 Shizuichi Nonaka-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City
Representative Director and President: Soichiro Yokogawa
Established: 2001
Business Activities: Design and construction of shrine and temple architecture (new construction, repair, renovation, restoration)
Major Certifications and Accreditations:

• Kyoto City "Certification for Companies Weaving the Next 1000 Years"

• "Social Enterprise Certification System S Certification"

Official Website: https://www.kyoto-shokodo.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyoto_shokodo

Takumi Kodo is a company specializing in shrine and temple architecture, handling everything from research and design to construction in-house, guided by the motto of its first master carpenter, Hiroshi Okamoto: "What is visible is natural. We must be considerate of what is not visible. We must do work that we would not be ashamed of even if dismantled." Our group of craftsmen, centered around young master carpenters, is constantly striving to create architecture that will last for 100 or 200 years.