‘Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.’
One of the classic lines from Haruki Murakami’s novel Norwegian Wood, expressing death in a simple and profound truth.
Because death is not merely the end of life but permeates every breath we take, it makes us both contemplative and fearful. So wouldn’t it be better if we could lessen this fear and accept it as a natural part of life?
This idea may have inspired Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in, a leisure spot in Japan, to create an activity inviting living people to meditate inside coffins—not the somber, mournful kind familiar from forest temples, but brightly colored, charming coffins designed by Japanese designers to make death feel ordinary, opening a chance to reflect on the meaning and value of life.
Today, Thairath Plus invites everyone to delve into what this Japanese coffin meditation reflects and why it has become popular in Japan.
What experiences does Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in offer inside the coffins?
Although ‘lying in a coffin’ might sound strange to many (except some Thais who may be familiar with similar activities), in Japan this practice has gained considerable popularity. Participants can choose to lie in a coffin with either an open or closed lid, spending about 30 minutes inside.
Sometimes music or visual aids help create the atmosphere, or some may prefer complete silence inside a space usually used for funeral ceremonies—a mental challenge that can also allow new forms of deep personal reflection.
What’s interesting about the coffins here is that they don’t look like typical funeral coffins but are designed with cute, colorful patterns by the company Grave Tokyo to soften the grim image of coffins. Designer Mikako Fuse sees this project as a gentle way to help people relate to death and realize it may not be as frightening as thought.
She also connects this experience to mental health, proposing that before people face the irreversible reality of death, they should encounter a reversible simulation of death to reflect on their lives in a safe environment.
Many participants report feeling unexpectedly refreshed and empowered afterward. Lying still and contemplating inevitable death clarifies life's limits, making every relationship valuable. Several also say they leave with a renewed intention to treat others kindly and see life’s positive aspects more clearly.
Preparing before departure is one of life’s greatest responsibilities.
Beyond meditation reasons, another factor boosting coffin meditation’s popularity links to the trend of preparing for death, known in Japanese as Shukatsu. The term sounds like 'Shukatsu' meaning 'job hunting' for new graduates but uses different kanji meaning 'activities to prepare for death.'
As Japan becomes a fully aged society with more people living alone, leaving death to chance imposes heavy burdens on survivors—high funeral costs, managing inheritances, and sorting belongings.
Thus, preparing everything in advance while still alive is seen as a responsible choice, such as gradually discarding or donating unnecessary items to avoid burdening descendants, and managing digital legacies like designating the status of social media accounts after death.
This idea has become prominent over the past decade as Japan’s death-related businesses have grown, promoting a culture of systematic farewell planning. Japan once held fairs where living people could choose funeral packages, try funeral makeup, and even lie in coffins to experience the atmosphere beforehand.
Companies like Aeon hold about 100 death-related seminars yearly and offer coffin trials inside their malls, along with funeral packages. Popular packages cost around 500,000 yen for elderly clients planning ahead. CEO Hirohara notes that people often feel relieved once everything is arranged.
In summary, this cute coffin meditation reflects Japanese society’s straightforward approach to facing death. When life’s end is no longer taboo or frightening, discussing it can lead to systematic planning, making it another manageable life stage.
Therefore, allowing oneself to lie in a coffin while still alive may help one live the remainder of life intentionally. Accepting that everything ends can deepen appreciation for every breath we still have.
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