Nokotsudo (Charnel House) at Shodaiji Temple, with a 1,200-Year History, Wins 'iF DESIGN AWARD 2026'
Shodaiji Temple has received the prestigious 'iF DESIGN AWARD 2026' for its newly constructed charnel house, designed by architect Shuzo Okabe. The project redefines the space as a place for prayer and reflection, focusing on the connection between the living and the deceased. This marks the temple's second recognition by the iF DESIGN AWARD for its efforts to translate the essence of prayer into modern design.
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 22:00
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We are pleased to announce that the charnel house (Nokotsudo) built by the religious corporation Shodaiji (Shinshu Otani-ha, Head Temple: Higashi Hongan-ji, Kyoto; Location: Tokyo; Chief Priest: Joji Inoue) has received the global design award, 'iF DESIGN AWARD 2026.'
This project was commissioned to architect Shuzo Okabe (principal of upsetters architects) to commemorate the temple's 1,200th anniversary. Unlike conventional charnel houses, it has been reconstructed as a 'space for prayer' to quietly reflect on one's relationship with the deceased. The project was recognized with the iF DESIGN AWARD for redefining the relationship between the worship space and the remains in a closed-shelf charnel house, creating a space for dialogue with the departed.
The iF jury's evaluation comment is as follows:
'While preserving the existing shelf-style structure, a space for prayer has been added to redefine the bond between the deceased and the living. At the boundary, custom-made, handcrafted glass that balances transparency and depth is placed as an object of worship, and the fan-shaped layout gently guides the gaze. Wood details and minimal furnishings create a serene atmosphere, while gradually changing lighting encourages meditation. It is an introspective personal space where tradition and quiet innovation fuse.'
■ Wishes Embedded in the Space — Opening 'Prayer' to the Modern Era
As a temple with a 1,200-year history, Shodaiji has continuously sought to create an environment that brings back into the modern day the 're-encounter with the departed,' which Japanese Buddhism has long cherished.
The award-winning charnel house is not merely a place to store remains, but is designed as:
- A place to converse with the deceased
- A place to face oneself
- A place to reaffirm family connections
The custom glass placed in the center of the space contains light and diffuses it softly, existing as a symbol of prayer. The gradually changing lighting aligns with the pace of the visitor's heart, leading them toward quiet introspection.
What exists there is not flashy decoration, but the warmth of wood and minimal furnishings. It is a space where human thoughts can emerge precisely because there is 'negative space.'
■ Designing 'Wishes': A Remarkable Second iF DESIGN AWARD for the Same Theme
Shodaiji has consistently worked to translate the 'essence of prayer' into the modern era.
- 2017: The Letter Temple Project 'Writing letters = Praying' won the iF DESIGN AWARD in the Concept category.
- Same year: The 'Tegami-dokoro' (Letter Place) built at Showa Joen in Funabashi won the Good Design Award Gold Prize and the 2017 Faith & Form IFRAA Award (International Religious Architecture Award selected by architects across the U.S.).
- 2018: Received the DFA Design for Asia Awards 2018 (an international award organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre that evaluates excellent design from an Asian perspective).
The philosophy of reinterpreting the act of writing letters as 'prayer,' and now, 'prayer as a space' in this charnel house—what Shodaiji has consistently worked on is designing the 're-encounter' that Buddhism has conveyed through funerals and memorial services. This has now been newly recognized.
■ Comment from the Chief Priest
Graves and charnel houses are places to encounter the departed once again. Our ancestors held graves, funerals, and memorial services to converse with those who have passed away. We are not starting anything new; as a temple with a 1,200-year history, our wish is to restore the original way of being while protecting what must be protected.
I accept this award not only as an evaluation of the design but as proof that our 'wish' has taken shape.
■ Introduction Video by Shuzo Okabe, Principal of upsetters architects
We asked Shuzo Okabe, who designed the Shodaiji charnel house, to introduce the design concept and more.
https://youtu.be/rjGr2FLqCnc
Additionally, to commemorate the completion, we have released a dialogue video featuring Shuzo Okabe, project director Mizuki Toritori (representative of muzika), Chief Priest Joji Inoue, and Edogawa Main Temple Head Ayumi Kihara.
https://youtu.be/AFcQrvt7btE
■ iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 Commemorative Special Campaign
To celebrate the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 win, we are holding a limited-time, limited-quantity special campaign.
Please check the page below for details.
https://edogawa2.eitaikuyou.life/noukotsudo/
■ Facility Overview
Name: Shodaiji Charnel House
Location: 4-23-1 Harue-cho, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://shoudaiji.or.jp/
Design: upsetters architects
Award: iF DESIGN AWARD 2026
Construction: Shodaiji 1,200th Anniversary Construction Project
■ About Shodaiji
Shodaiji (official name: Zokumyoin Horinzan Shodaiji) is a historic temple originating from 835 AD, when Ono no Minemori, assigned to Dazaifu, was saddened by the many people dying on the roadside during famine and plague without shelter. He established 'Zokumyoin,' said to be Japan's oldest hospice, to provide a humane end-of-life experience. It belongs to the Shinshu Otani-ha (Head Temple: Higashi Hongan-ji, Kyoto).
With the mission of 'accompanying you to live better,' the temple will celebrate its 1,200th anniversary in 2035.
This project was commissioned to architect Shuzo Okabe (principal of upsetters architects) to commemorate the temple's 1,200th anniversary. Unlike conventional charnel houses, it has been reconstructed as a 'space for prayer' to quietly reflect on one's relationship with the deceased. The project was recognized with the iF DESIGN AWARD for redefining the relationship between the worship space and the remains in a closed-shelf charnel house, creating a space for dialogue with the departed.
The iF jury's evaluation comment is as follows:
'While preserving the existing shelf-style structure, a space for prayer has been added to redefine the bond between the deceased and the living. At the boundary, custom-made, handcrafted glass that balances transparency and depth is placed as an object of worship, and the fan-shaped layout gently guides the gaze. Wood details and minimal furnishings create a serene atmosphere, while gradually changing lighting encourages meditation. It is an introspective personal space where tradition and quiet innovation fuse.'
■ Wishes Embedded in the Space — Opening 'Prayer' to the Modern Era
As a temple with a 1,200-year history, Shodaiji has continuously sought to create an environment that brings back into the modern day the 're-encounter with the departed,' which Japanese Buddhism has long cherished.
The award-winning charnel house is not merely a place to store remains, but is designed as:
- A place to converse with the deceased
- A place to face oneself
- A place to reaffirm family connections
The custom glass placed in the center of the space contains light and diffuses it softly, existing as a symbol of prayer. The gradually changing lighting aligns with the pace of the visitor's heart, leading them toward quiet introspection.
What exists there is not flashy decoration, but the warmth of wood and minimal furnishings. It is a space where human thoughts can emerge precisely because there is 'negative space.'
■ Designing 'Wishes': A Remarkable Second iF DESIGN AWARD for the Same Theme
Shodaiji has consistently worked to translate the 'essence of prayer' into the modern era.
- 2017: The Letter Temple Project 'Writing letters = Praying' won the iF DESIGN AWARD in the Concept category.
- Same year: The 'Tegami-dokoro' (Letter Place) built at Showa Joen in Funabashi won the Good Design Award Gold Prize and the 2017 Faith & Form IFRAA Award (International Religious Architecture Award selected by architects across the U.S.).
- 2018: Received the DFA Design for Asia Awards 2018 (an international award organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre that evaluates excellent design from an Asian perspective).
The philosophy of reinterpreting the act of writing letters as 'prayer,' and now, 'prayer as a space' in this charnel house—what Shodaiji has consistently worked on is designing the 're-encounter' that Buddhism has conveyed through funerals and memorial services. This has now been newly recognized.
■ Comment from the Chief Priest
Graves and charnel houses are places to encounter the departed once again. Our ancestors held graves, funerals, and memorial services to converse with those who have passed away. We are not starting anything new; as a temple with a 1,200-year history, our wish is to restore the original way of being while protecting what must be protected.
I accept this award not only as an evaluation of the design but as proof that our 'wish' has taken shape.
■ Introduction Video by Shuzo Okabe, Principal of upsetters architects
We asked Shuzo Okabe, who designed the Shodaiji charnel house, to introduce the design concept and more.
https://youtu.be/rjGr2FLqCnc
Additionally, to commemorate the completion, we have released a dialogue video featuring Shuzo Okabe, project director Mizuki Toritori (representative of muzika), Chief Priest Joji Inoue, and Edogawa Main Temple Head Ayumi Kihara.
https://youtu.be/AFcQrvt7btE
■ iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 Commemorative Special Campaign
To celebrate the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 win, we are holding a limited-time, limited-quantity special campaign.
Please check the page below for details.
https://edogawa2.eitaikuyou.life/noukotsudo/
■ Facility Overview
Name: Shodaiji Charnel House
Location: 4-23-1 Harue-cho, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://shoudaiji.or.jp/
Design: upsetters architects
Award: iF DESIGN AWARD 2026
Construction: Shodaiji 1,200th Anniversary Construction Project
■ About Shodaiji
Shodaiji (official name: Zokumyoin Horinzan Shodaiji) is a historic temple originating from 835 AD, when Ono no Minemori, assigned to Dazaifu, was saddened by the many people dying on the roadside during famine and plague without shelter. He established 'Zokumyoin,' said to be Japan's oldest hospice, to provide a humane end-of-life experience. It belongs to the Shinshu Otani-ha (Head Temple: Higashi Hongan-ji, Kyoto).
With the mission of 'accompanying you to live better,' the temple will celebrate its 1,200th anniversary in 2035.