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.
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.
All the more so as practically each and every little cubby-hole is filled with an urn and mementoes of all kinds.
Yet the very obvious joy that these animals once brought to their owners.
And which are now clearly very much missed.
Combine to make it like no other pet cemetery I’ve ever been to before.
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.
Nice to hear you feel the same way.
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!
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…
and seemingly a lack of fishy mementos here too.
Yeah, it would seem that fish the world over are buried at sea as it were.
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.
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.
I think this is very sweet, but I prefer to keep my cremated pets ashes with me.
Well, it’s one of the most impressive records of yours, Lee! So fascinating, yet a bit disturbing place to visit.
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.