Cemeteries in Shiga Japan

  Shiga, Kinki, Japan
Wednesday, April 20, 2005

There were three separate cemeteries at one monistary we visited in Shiga, Japan.

The newest one is where the current burrials take place. . . sort of . . . what they do is cremated there departed and place the ashes in the base of the monument. There is a shortage of space for cemeteries in Japan so you do not buy the spot permanently. You rent it in 40 year incraments. If there is nobody to pay their respects after 40 years the spot is rented to another and the ashes removed and put in a more space concious location.

They bring gifts to the monuments for the departed spirits. Seems beer and cigarets are the gift of choice.


















At the bottom of the hill are older monuments.















Farther yet are the OLD graves with more interesting headstones.



















At the very top was the oldest grave of the first Monk who died 1600 years previous.