I feel like it's an exaggeration to say 堂 mean "sacred space". Maybe in some historical sense but it's used for common places. 食堂 (cafeteria) 公会堂 (public hall).

I feel like it's an exaggeration to say 堂 mean "sacred space". Maybe in some historical sense but it's used for common places. 食堂 (cafeteria) 公会堂 (public hall). If you put 堂 in Google Maps you'll find 1000s of places and companies called ~~~堂 For example the bookstore on the famous Shibuya Crossing is called Taiseido 大盛堂, store that sells stationary called Kanmido (カンミ堂), a store that sells stamps called Zenbido 善美堂 etc...