A hotel whose building also houses a Buddhist temple will open in Osaka, western Japan, next month. The part occupied by the main hall of Mitsutera Temple was shown to media on Wednesday.

The hall, which was built over two centuries ago, has been relocated to an atrium that takes up the first to third floors of the 15-story building with one basement level.

Temple officials faced the issue of securing funds to maintain and repair the main hall. By leasing the land to the hotel, the temple has secured the necessary monies, while the hotel is situated in a prime location.

A deputy priest said the deal allows the temple to carry out restoration work with the land lease, giving a sense of security that the hall can be preserved over the next 50 to 100 years.

He also said the role of temples changes with the times, but added that the temple in Osaka, where diverse people visit, wants to preserve culture and pass on beliefs to younger generations.