A growing number of Buddhist temples have been capitalizing on the nation's recent matchmaking boom.

In the middle of last month, 12 men and women, mostly in their late 30s and early 40s, gathered at Anrakuji, a Nichiren-sect temple in the city of Wakayama, for a singles event, with each doling out ¥2,500 to participate.

"Please value the chance of meeting each other here even if you don't find a partner," the temple's chief priest, Shunko Yoshino, 35, said at the event's kickoff.