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Sep 06 2011 15 Comments

A Japanese pet cemetery

Despite their constant and uncomfortable reminders, I’ve always found graveyards to be strangely relaxing places; in many ways the perfect spot for a quiet and contemplative wander on a weekend afternoon.

Pet cemeteries, on the other hand, have somehow always felt very different. Invariably quite disturbing if the truth be told. Although why exactly I don’t know.

This particular place in Tokyo’s western suburbs, however, is an unusual mixture of the two. It’s without a doubt extremely poignant, with silence and the smell of incense pervading every little corner.

Tokyo pet cemetery

But at the same time, its narrow, confusing and quite claustrophobic corridors — inside what seems to be some kind of octagonal-like structure — create an unusual and slightly uncomfortable environment to say the least.

Tokyo pet cemetery

All the more so as practically each and every little cubby-hole is filled with an urn and mementoes of all kinds.

Tokyo pet cemetery

Yet the very obvious joy that these animals once brought to their owners.

Tokyo pet cemetery

And which are now clearly very much missed.

Tokyo pet cemetery

Combine to make it like no other pet cemetery I’ve ever been to before.

Tokyo pet cemetery

Categorized: Photography, Religion

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. winnie says

    9/6/2011 at 5:16 pm

    I agreed that graveyards is relaxing places and actually I feel very peaceful too.
    I have never been to Pet cemetery. I always wonder how it is look like.
    Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/6/2011 at 11:04 pm

      Nice to hear you feel the same way.

      Reply
  2. Andrew Harrison says

    9/6/2011 at 11:05 pm

    I like graveyards too. We used to live near the immense Tama Cemetery, which is very beautiful at hanami time. I’ve never seen a pet cemetery before. Fascinating. My granddad used to bury any deceased family pets in the back garden!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/6/2011 at 11:22 pm

      I sometimes cycle through Tama Cemetery on my way back from the river. Beautiful place, and like you said, especially so during hanami. I found a Turkish enclave there too, which came as a surprise.

      I buried a much loved budgie in my parents garden. We never got another as he was too much of a character. Our fish on the other hand didn’t get quite such a dignified send off…

      Reply
      • john says

        9/7/2011 at 8:46 am

        and seemingly a lack of fishy mementos here too.

        Reply
        • Lee says

          9/7/2011 at 9:56 am

          Yeah, it would seem that fish the world over are buried at sea as it were.

          Reply
  3. Lizzy says

    9/7/2011 at 10:04 am

    I prefer older cemetaries. Newer ones just *feel* dead to me. This, however, is nearly spectacular. It reminds me of the hispanic cemetary we visited where all of the graves were so colorfully and elaborately decorated. I wish we had something like that here.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/7/2011 at 7:45 pm

      I’ve come across a few pet cemeteries during my time here Lizzy, but this is definitely something a bit special. The others simply can’t compete.

      Reply
  4. Melanie says

    9/9/2011 at 12:11 am

    I think this is very sweet, but I prefer to keep my cremated pets ashes with me.

    Reply
  5. ameiji says

    9/9/2011 at 6:40 pm

    Well, it’s one of the most impressive records of yours, Lee! So fascinating, yet a bit disturbing place to visit.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/9/2011 at 8:14 pm

      Glad to hear you found it interesting. If a little disturbing.

      Yeah, it’s quite a place. Definitely not like anywhere else I’ve been that’s for sure.

      Reply
  6. StMongo says

    6/15/2013 at 8:18 am

    as one of those “weirdos” who’s pets are her kids, this naturally made me cry. mostly due however, to the clear evidence that the people who put their pets there loved them dearly and where likely torn up inside. working in a veterinary clinic, I see way too many people who bring their pets in to be put down, and just don’t seem to care, and it was wonderful to see that not everyone is so heartless. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Loren Rhoads says

    9/15/2013 at 12:45 pm

    I’ve been to cemeteries in Tokyo — Aoyama and Zoshigaya — but never a pet cemetery. Thank you for your lovely photos!

    Reply
  8. Jackie says

    6/12/2017 at 2:03 am

    Hello, thank you for this interesting post and beautiful photographs. I am an author researching a book on pet statues and memorials in the UK. I wonder if I could use one of the photgraphs here in my book? I would fully credit you and link to your site. Could you let me know if so?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/13/2017 at 10:23 am

      Thanks for the kind words.

      I can’t give my photos away for free I’m afraid, but if we can sort something out, I can send you send full-sized, high-res versions suitable for printing.

      Reply

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