Cemeteries and memorials to visit Japan

It is the largest cemetery in Kōya-san. Along the aisles, more than two hundred thousand tombs of daimyō, religious (including Daishonin and Shinran), samurai or simple people were built. The best thing is to enter the Niveau-hashi bridge and follow the driveway that goes into the forest. The driveway is all the more impressive in the morning or evening, when it is lit in the glow of the lanterns. At the north end of the cemetery is the Tōrō-dō where you can burn thousands of lanterns. Two of them are supposed to burn since the th century. Immediately afterwards, the Mizumuke Jizo, of the rows of statuettes of Jizo, standing at the foot of the Gobyo-no-hashi bridge. By crossing the bridge, you don't need to talk anymore. At the end of the road, you will reach the mausoleum of Kūkai, also known as Ereader Daishi. According to the tradition Shingon, Kūkai is a very important character because he must help the Buddha of the Future, during his coming, to salvation of souls.

It seems rather curious for a tourist to go to a cemetery, but in noisy Tokyo, cemeteries are not inconsiderable spaces of peace. There are some graves or memorials of famous people, such as the tomb of General Nogi, winner of the Russian-Japanese war, or novelists like Naoya Shiga, or Kabuki actors, like Danjurō Ichikawa. The crossing of the cemetery leads to Aoyama Palace. It is also a picnic spot for the Japanese at the time of the cherry blossoms.

On 19 June 1945, 190 young girls and 14 professors were captured by the Americans and decided to commit suicide together after all singing in choir. Place very visited by Japanese tourists.

The Gokoku-Ji, temple of the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism is the oldest and the biggest temple of the Edo period in Tokyo. It was built in 1681 and over the years, new buildings have been added to this impressive complex. One can see a belfry dating from 1682 and a two-level pagoda built in 1938. The Zoshigaya Cemetery is adjacent to the temple. It houses the graves of the writer Lafcadio Hearn, who became a Japanese citizen at the end of the 19th century, and of the missionary John McCaleb.

A memorial dedicated to all the dead, American and Japanese, who participated in the fighting. The names of 235 000 people are engraved on white granite tables.

Memorial located on a cliff and dedicated to 350 000 unknown dead.

This large natural park, built on the ancient site of Taishoji, is home to several mausoleums, some of which are very famous. Among the main mausoleums is the tomb of Gracia Hosokawa (1563-1600), wife of Tadaoki. She converted to Christianity and was killed by her husband in order not to be taken hostage by the military commander Mitsunari Ishida. Gracia is a heroic figure in the eyes of many Japanese. The park invites you to take a peaceful stroll through its lush nature, which is at its most beautiful in autumn.