Coffin Opens In Japan, Visitors Can Reflect On Death

Illustration of coffin cafes in Japan (X/@ndtvworld)

JAKARTA - Japan is one of the countries that has always been present with unique innovations. Most recently, a coffin cafe was opened, which aims to make visitors reflect on death.

The cafe was opened in the Kajiya Honten Funeral Home area located in Futtsu, Chiba, Japan. The opening of the cafe is a collaboration between the funeral home and a funeral equipment service company.

The coffin cafe is on the first floor of the funeral home building, and has been open since September 2024. Three coffins, gold, yellow, and green were displayed in the cafe.

Each coffin is decorated with flower patterns and creative motifs to make the experience more comfortable for visitors. Visitors can lie in the coffin and spend time concentrating.

CEO of the fasting equipment company, Kiyotaka Hirano, said the inspiration for the concept of the coffin cafe was because of his father's sudden personal experience of death. The cafe aims for people to reflect on life and death, as well as relationships with others around them.

Most young people think about marriage and only a few think about funerals. However, everyone can respond differently to this experience. Some people may want to close the coffin for a few minutes to reflect on how they want to live before their time arrives, "said Kiyotaka Hirano, quoted by SMCP, on Monday, November 18, 2024.

"This experience also provides an opportunity for you to re-evaluate your relationship with family and loved ones," he added.

Meanwhile, to enjoy the coffin cafe, visitors are priced at 2,200 yen or around Rp. 225 thousand. The cafe is also far from the funeral home building, so visitors certainly do not meet funeral participants.