Mt. Tateyama is a daily sight for the residents of Toyama, a source of blessings in their lives, and an object of reverence due to its majestic presence. Historically, it was considered a sacred mountain where the departed were believed to return to. In this project, we designed a landscape that faced Tateyama, both physically and spiritually.

A ceremonial site in Japan has been sometimes seen as closed-off and even a nuisance facility. In order to transform this image into a more open ceremonial site, the architectural and landscape planning embraced the dynamic scenery of the Tateyama mountain range, making the most of its environmental resources. The design aimed to create a setting worthy of its magnificent backdrop, offering a serene landscape where one could quietly accompany their loved ones in their final farewell. Given the unique purpose of a ceremonial site, this project in Toyama seeks to merge the concepts of “death” and “Tateyama” as an environmental resource, creating a new kind of ceremonial site.

The architecture facing Tateyama was considered the “shore,” with the expansive mountain view interpreted as a vast water surface. The quiet waves lapping against the architecture at the shore and the extending pier symbolized an emotional landscape where one could feel closer to the departed. This act of contemplation aimed to evoke memories of loved ones and also to provide a moment for self-reflection.