Shodaiji Temple's Ossuary, with a 1200-Year History, Wins the 'iF DESIGN AWARD 2026'

We are pleased to announce that the ossuary established by the religious corporation Shodaiji Temple (affiliated with Higashi Honganji Temple, the head temple of the Otani-ha sect of Shin Buddhism, located in Kyoto, with Jojo Inoue as the chief priest) has received the prestigious international design award, the 'iF DESIGN AWARD 2026'.

Photo : Daisuke Shima

This project was commissioned to Mr. Shuzo Okabe (head of upsetters architects) to commemorate the temple's 1200th anniversary. Unlike conventional ossuaries, this space has been reconfigured as a 'space for prayer' where one can quietly reflect on their relationship with the deceased. The design redefines the relationship between the worship space and the remains in a closed-shelf ossuary, creating a space for dialogue with the departed, which led to the winning of the iF DESIGN AWARD.

The iF evaluation comment describes it as follows:

"Preserving the existing shelf structure while adding a prayer space that redefines the bond between the deceased and the living. At the boundary, custom-made, handcrafted glass, achieving both transparency and depth, is placed as the object of worship, and the fan-shaped layout gently guides the gaze. The details of the woodwork and the minimally furnished fixtures create a serene atmosphere, and the gradually changing lighting encourages meditation. It is an introspective personal space where tradition and quiet innovation merge."

The Wish Embodied in the Space – Opening 'Prayer' to the Modern Era

As a temple with a 1200-year history, Shodaiji Temple has continuously explored ways to create an environment that brings back the Japanese Buddhist tradition of 're-encountering the departed' into the modern age.

The ossuary that received this award is designed not merely as a place to store remains, but as:

A place to converse with the deceased A place to confront oneself A place to reaffirm family connections

The custom-made glass placed at the center of the space gently diffuses light while containing it, existing as a symbol of prayer. The gradually changing lighting adapts to the visitor's emotional pace, guiding them into quiet introspection.

What exists here is not ostentatious decoration, but the warmth of wood and minimal furnishings. It is a space where human emotions can arise precisely because of the 'empty space'.

Interior of the Ossuary

Custom-made glass that softly diffuses light