Japan Travelogue Series: Visiting a Japanese Cemetery 

Japanese cemeteries (日本人墓地, Nihonjin bochi) are rather different than Western cemeteries. There are large haka, or graves, each representing a family. A haka is typically made up of a stone monument with a place for flowers, incense, and water in the front. Most of the Japanese population are cremated once they pass, and the ashes are placed in their respective family haka. During obon, or the season when dead relatives come to visit, many families will visit their family grave, clean it, and leave offerings.

Let’s take a look with Niclas and pay our respects as he visits a Japanese cemetery .