Deathfes Wins 'Unique Community Award' at Peatix Community Awards 2026

Deathfes, a community managed by the general incorporated association Deathfes (Shibuya, Tokyo; co-representatives: Nozomi Ichikawa and Rina Ono), received the 'Unique Community Award' at the 'Peatix Community Awards 2026' held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

The 'Unique Community Award' honors activities that build unique community cultures through unconventional ideas and create new forms of connection. Deathfes was recognized for transforming 'death'—a theme often treated as taboo—into a catalyst for safe, intergenerational dialogue, fostering a new culture where 'people connect when talking about death.' The award was granted from over 250 entries nationwide.

Operating under the concept of 'Well-being starting from death,' Deathfes is a community where people discuss 'how to live now' using death as a trigger. Members including monks, medical and nursing staff, tech professionals, artists, and students gather to participate in dialogue sessions, web radio, research networks, academic journals, and pop-up events, providing spaces to talk about 'death' in daily life.

Every year around April 14th (Good Death Day), they host their symbolic event, 'DeathFes.' In 2026, it was held for six days at Shibuya Hikarie, attracting a total of 5,040 attendees, including online participants.

Co-representatives Nozomi Ichikawa and Rina Ono commented: 'Thank you very much for this 'Unique Community Award.' What we have valued is not talking about death brightly or overcoming it. It is okay to be afraid, and okay to be sad. We just want spaces where you can connect with people triggered by death and stay with someone as you are to become more commonplace. We hope to continue this activity until such a 'unique' community becomes the 'norm.''