About 37% want to "prioritize design" for Buddhist altars and altar fittings; about 90% unaware of modern designs like "modern Buddhist altars"

Survey on Awareness of "Design" for Buddhist Altars and Altar Fittings

As housing styles and lifestyles diversify, attitudes toward Buddhist altars and altar fittings are gradually changing.

With fewer Japanese-style rooms, more people are facing their deceased loved ones in living rooms or corners of apartments.

In this context, how do people perceive the "design" of Buddhist altars and altar fittings?

The modern form of remembrance may be found at the intersection of the desire to preserve tradition and the desire for an appearance that blends into living spaces.

Therefore, in collaboration with the Buddhist altar and altar fitting mail-order site "Nagomi Kobo," we conducted a survey on "Awareness of "Design" for Buddhist Altars and Altar Fittings" targeting 500 men and women nationwide.

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- State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Group Inc. and Nagomi Kobo."

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Survey Outline: "Survey on Awareness of "Design" for Buddhist Altars and Altar Fittings"

Survey Method: Internet-based questionnaire

Survey Period: June 22, 2026 - June 29, 2026

Target Respondents: Men and women nationwide

Valid Responses: 500 samples

Questions:

Question 1: Please select the statement that most closely aligns with your thoughts on seeking "design" in Buddhist altars and altar fittings.

Question 2: When choosing (or if you were to choose) a Buddhist altar or altar fitting, how much importance would you place on "design"?

Question 3: Please explain your reasons.

Question 4: When choosing (or if you were to choose) a Buddhist altar or altar fitting, please select points other than design that you would prioritize. (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 5: Were you aware that modernly designed Buddhist altars and altar fittings, such as "modern Buddhist altars," "acrylic or artificial marble spirit tablets," and "glass flower vases (for Buddhist flowers)," are sold?

Question 6: Do you believe that an increase in Buddhist altars and altar fittings with high design quality, which can be accepted by younger generations, would be beneficial for "the inheritance of memorial culture"?

Question 7: Please explain your reasons.

*In principle, figures are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not be 100%.

49.2% responded that they "don't particularly care" about seeking "design" in Buddhist altars and altar fittings

First, we asked respondents to choose the statement that best reflects their thoughts on seeking "design" in Buddhist altars and altar fittings.

The most common response was "I don't particularly care about the design of Buddhist altars and altar fittings," at 49.2%.

This was followed by "I think it should align with the times" at 24.0%, and "It should remain in traditional design" at 10.6%.

Then, "I think it's a good thing" was 10.4%, and "If there were stylish items, I think I would have more opportunities to pray" was 5.8%.

While about half said they "don't particularly care," when combined with responses that positively accepted design, such as "I think it should align with the times," "I think it's a good thing," and "If there were stylish items, I think I would have more opportunities to pray," the total reached 40.2%.

While a certain number of people value tradition, an attitude of accepting change is also gradually spreading.

37.4% responded that they "want to prioritize" "design" when choosing Buddhist altars and altar fittings

Next, we asked how much importance respondents would place on "design" when choosing, or if they were to choose, a Buddhist altar or altar fitting.

The results showed that 5.4% said "I want to prioritize it highly," and 32.0% said "I want to prioritize it somewhat," totaling 37.4% of people who want to prioritize design.

On the other hand, 30.8% said "I don't particularly prioritize it," and 31.8% said "I don't prioritize it at all."

We also asked for the reasons, and here are some excerpts:

Respondents who answered "want to prioritize":

- Because I'm more likely to want to buy it if I like the design. (30s, Female) - I want something compact that won't look out of place in my home. (40s, Female) - I want a design that fits modern homes. (50s, Male) - Because it's something for my private space. (50s, Female) - I think of it like a home, so I don't want to choose just anything. (60s, Female)

Respondents who answered "don't prioritize":

- Because I want to prioritize cost. (20s, Male) - Because I'm not interested. (30s, Female) - Because a Buddhist altar is something to pray to, so I don't care much about the design. (40s, Male) - Because I'm not very interested in design. (50s, Male)

The results show that while more than half of respondents said they don't prioritize design, a certain number of people do want to prioritize it.

Among those who said they don't prioritize design, comments such as "I want to prioritize cost" and "Because a Buddhist altar is something to pray to, I don't care much about the design" were raised, indicating a preference for the original role and practicality.

On the other hand, among those who want to prioritize design, many expressed the importance of an appearance that blends into the living space and is naturally accepted in daily life, such as "I want something compact that won't look out of place in my home" and "I want a design that fits modern homes."

While there are views that prioritize cost and functionality, there is also a growing interest in the design of Buddhist altars and altar fittings in line with changes in the living environment.

51.6% responded that "price/cost performance" is the most important factor other than design when choosing Buddhist altars and altar fittings

Next, we asked about points other than design that are prioritized when choosing, or if one were to choose, a Buddhist altar or altar fitting.

The most common response was "price/cost performance" at 51.6%.

This was followed by "size/ease of installation" at 37.6%, "harmony with interior and room atmosphere" at 25.6%, and "quality/durability" at 23.0%.

While more than half of respondents cited price, "size/ease of installation" and "harmony with interior" also ranked high.

Precisely because it is an item to be placed in a home, many people are concerned about how it will fit in the room and how it will blend into their lives.

Choosing Buddhist altars and altar fittings seems to involve consideration that goes back and forth between practical criteria like price and sensory elements like harmony with the living space.

90.4% responded that they "did not know" about the existence of modernly designed Buddhist altars and altar fittings

Next, we asked if respondents were aware of the sale of modernly designed Buddhist altars and altar fittings, such as "modern Buddhist altars," "acrylic or artificial marble spirit tablets," and "glass flower vases (for Buddhist flowers)."

The results showed that "I did not know" accounted for the vast majority at 90.4%. On the other hand, only 9.6% "knew."

The survey results suggest that modernly designed Buddhist altars and altar fittings are not yet widely recognized, and for many people, they have not yet become a familiar option.

While it is a field where traditional images tend to dominate, in reality, diverse forms that adapt to living environments are emerging.

As opportunities to learn about these new designs for Buddhist altars and altar fittings increase in the future, there is potential for the range of choices to expand.

51.6% responded that an increase in highly designed Buddhist altars and altar fittings would "help" in the inheritance of memorial culture

Finally, we asked whether an increase in Buddhist altars and altar fittings with high design quality, which can be accepted by younger generations, would be beneficial for "the inheritance of memorial culture."

We found that 8.6% said "I think it would be very helpful," and 43.0% said "I think it would be somewhat helpful," totaling 51.6% of people who believe it would be helpful.

On the other hand, 25.4% said "I don't think it would be very helpful," and 23.0% said "I don't think it would be helpful at all."

More than half of respondents feel that the power of design can support the inheritance of culture.

We also asked for the reasons, and here are some excerpts:

Respondents who answered "think it would help":

- Because times should change gradually. (20s, Female) - I have a good impression of the feeling of updating to the modern era. (20s, Male) - It would be good if it could be placed without feeling out of place. (20s, Female) - Because it will be passed down to younger people. (20s, Female) - I think more people will buy Buddhist altars if they blend in with the interior. (30s, Female) - I think more people will find it good if the atmosphere is not heavy and it can be placed casually. (30s, Female)

Respondents who answered "think it would not help":

- Because I don't care. (20s, Male) - Because people who aren't interested won't be interested no matter what. (20s, Female) - Because I don't think it will affect the demand for Buddhist altars itself. (30s, Female) - The culture of buying Buddhist altars is declining. (40s, Male)

Those who answered "think it would help" cited expectations that it would become more accessible by naturally blending into modern homes, leading to more opportunities to interact with Buddhist altars and altar fittings.

There were also comments suggesting that a design that doesn't feel heavy might be perceived as more approachable by younger generations.

On the other hand, those who answered "think it would not help" raised opinions that perceptions vary depending on interest and differences in values, as well as views that consider the changes in actual usage.

Design innovation is perceived as one means of making Buddhist altars and altar fittings feel more accessible, and there is a growing interest in flexibly changing their form to suit lifestyles while cherishing tradition.

Perhaps evolving in a way that naturally blends into daily life, rather than excessive change, will lead to greater acceptance in the future.

Summary

In this survey, 37.4% of respondents wanted to "prioritize design" for Buddhist altars and altar fittings, while the vast majority (90.4%) "did not know" that modernly designed Buddhist altars and altar fittings exist.

Furthermore, "price" was the most prioritized factor other than design, accounting for a large proportion as a practical criterion when choosing.

On the other hand, 51.6% of people believe that high design quality would "help" in the inheritance of memorial culture, exceeding half.

These results suggest that while Buddhist altars and altar fittings tend to be chosen based on practical aspects like price and function, there is also a certain level of interest in designs that naturally blend into homes and lifestyles.

Although awareness has not yet spread sufficiently, there seems to be room for diverse forms tailored to lifestyles to be accepted if opportunities to learn about them as an option increase.

If you have the opportunity to choose a Buddhist altar or altar fitting, why not consider prioritizing design as something that will be passed down in the future?

<For use in articles, etc.>

- State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Group Inc. and Nagomi Kobo."

- Include a link to Nagomi Kobo (https://nagomi-kobo.co.jp/)

[About Nagomi Kobo]

Company Name: Wakabayashi Shoji Co., Ltd.

Store Manager: Kazukazu Kawabe

Address: 147 Nishi-sakai-machi, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8218

Phone Number: 075-371-3132

[About NEXER Group Inc.]

Headquarters: Rise Arena Bldg. 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0013

Representative Director: Yuya Miyata

URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp

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