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Shukatsu Haiku Grand Prize 2025

The Shukatsu Haiku Grand Prize 2025 is inviting entries until August 25, 2025. This competition seeks haikus written in the traditional 5-7-5 format, centered around the theme of 'shukatsu', or end-of-life planning. Participants are encouraged to share their personal experiences related to organizing their surroundings, preparing for funerals, cemetery arrangements, and financial management in anticipation of their passing.

The event aims to promote awareness and reflection on living life to the fullest, while also considering the inevitable aspects of death. By sharing these poetic expressions, participants contribute to a broader conversation about end-of-life issues that many of us will face. It is an excellent opportunity to articulate thoughts on mortality, family dynamics, and personal anecdotes in a creative format.

Participants can submit their haikus through the official entry form: Application Form. The submission period opens on July 11, 2025, and closes on August 25, 2025. All residents of Japan are welcome to submit their works, with each individual allowed to enter up to five haikus. It is an ideal platform for anyone to express thoughts ranging from grief, family bonds, eldercare, inheritance, decluttering, to second-life reflections.

Awards

The selected winning haikus will receive fantastic prizes:

• - Grand Prize: JTB travel voucher worth 100,000 yen.
• - Excellence Award: Amazon gift card worth 30,000 yen.
• - Special Award: Amazon gift card worth 10,000 yen.

In addition, winners will be honored at the award ceremony scheduled for September 11, 2025, as part of the Ending Industry Exhibition 2025, held at Ariake GYM-EX in Koto City, Tokyo. The presentation will be led by the comedian Oniyatsu Tsubaki, a notable figure in the entertainment industry.

Ending Industry Exhibition

The Ending Industry Exhibition is Japan’s largest specialized expo focusing on the end-of-life industry, including topics like funerals, burial, memorial services, and inheritance. This event gathers various organizations and businesses operating within this sector, fostering a space for sharing ideas, products, and innovations.

This year's award ceremony will run from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, and attendees must pre-register to participate. To explore more about the exhibition and to register for the event, please visit the official website: Ending Industry Exhibition.

In summary, the Shukatsu Haiku Grand Prize 2025 not only offers participants a chance to showcase their poetic talents but also encourages important discussions about life's final journeys. Whether you're a seasoned poet or new to haikus, this competition welcomes all voices and invites everyone to contemplate and articulate the intricacies of their end-of-life reflections through this beautiful art form.