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Home » JAL » JAL Flight Attendants Now Serving As Shinto Shrine Maidens
JAL

JAL Flight Attendants Now Serving As Shinto Shrine Maidens

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 1, 2021November 14, 2023 Leave a Comment

a group of women in white robes

Furloughed flight attendants from Japan Airlines (JAL) have been offered a temporary role as Shinto shrine maidens, a ceremonial position with emphasis on hospitality.

JAL Flight Attendants Now Shinto Shrine Maidens

Shinto is polytheistic faith which originated in Japan. About 70% of Japanese citizens practice Shinto  traditions (about the same percentage practice Buddhism, another faith tradition with many overlaps to Shinto) even while the majority reject transcendent faith (but still practice religious rituals). In Shinto, a miko (巫女) is a shrine maiden or a supplementary priestess. Duties were once thought sacred or even prophetic, but today most entail serving as hostesses to shrine visitors. Specifically, shrine maidens are now tasked with ensuring that visitors remain socially distanced while inside shrines.

Last month, several Fukuoka-based flight attendants entered training at the Munakata Taisha shrine.  These were optional, paid positions and only open to unmarried women. Shrine visits peak during the New Year celebrations.

A spokesperson for the shrine told CNN:

“We think Japan Airlines’ first-class customer service may inspire all our staff at shrines. At the same time, we would like the JAL staff to experience the Japanese traditional culture and Japanese spirit and make the best use what they learned for future.”

Unlike the vows required in other faith traditions, flight attendants do not have to be religious or subscribe to any belief system to serve in this role.

CONCLUSION

The new shine roles are ephemeral in nature, but another indicator that even with a vaccine, recovery of international air travel will be slow in 2021. The service I experienced on JAL in first class was unparalleled…the best I’ve ever experienced (and I’ve experienced incredible service on many airlines over the years). I can only surmise that shrine visitors are in for a treat.

image: Chris Gladis / Flickr

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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