In Japan, a wellness practice known as coffin therapy (aka coffin-lying) has grown from a small funeral home experiment into a national trend. The idea is simple: people lie inside a coffin for a short period of time to reflect on life and mortality. What began in Chiba Prefecture as a unique service has now expanded to spas and workshops across the country.
Coffin therapy involves meditating inside a coffin, either open or closed, for about 30 minutes. Supporters say the enclosed space provides quiet and privacy, allowing participants to think about their lives without distractions. While the concept may seem unusual in other countries, it connects to Japan’s long-standing tradition of kuyō, or memorial services, which encourage reflection on the fragility of life and the acceptance of death.
The rise of coffin therapy also comes at a time when Japan is facing high suicide rates among young people. Some advocates believe that confronting the idea of death in a controlled and reversible way can help reduce fear and promote a stronger desire to live. Businesses offering coffin therapy services describe it as a mental reset, giving individuals space to calm anxiety and reflect on personal challenges.
One of the companies behind the trend is Grave Tokyo, which designs decorative meditation coffins.
Their coffins are often brightly colored and designed to feel less intimidating than traditional funeral caskets. According to designer Mikako Fuse, the goal is to present death as something less frightening and to encourage people to value their lives more deeply.
A Tokyo spa called Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in offers coffin therapy sessions for about $13. Customers can choose between an open or closed coffin and may select calming music, projected visuals, or complete silence. The experience is structured to feel safe and controlled, allowing participants to explore their thoughts without risk.
In 2024, workshops introducing coffin therapy were even held at a university in Kyoto. Students who participated reported that the experience helped them reflect on their worries and, in some cases, feel less afraid of death. Several said it renewed their motivation to live more fully.
Mental health professionals commonly recommend tools such as meditation, mindfulness practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications like SSRIs to manage depression and suicidal thoughts. More recently, treatments like ketamine and esketamine have also been explored for severe cases. Advocates of coffin therapy argue that adding a symbolic “rehearsal” of death can complement these approaches by helping individuals confront their fears directly.
Supporters emphasize that coffin therapy is not about glorifying death. Instead, they describe it as a reversible experience designed to change perspective. As Fuse has stated, the intention is to offer people a safe encounter with the concept of death before they make any irreversible decisions.