Japanese Cemeteries

Japanese cemetaries are often in out of way places. Cremation is a common practice and families are buried together in the central pillar. The souls of those deceased come and visit their resting place. Water is poured over the stone pillar to cleanse it and let those at rest know they are being visited. It is common practice to leave the deceased a favorite beverage of theirs from when they were alive. It is opened and left for the soul to drink from. Items dear to the deceased are left as reminders of their previous life.

While cemetaries are often in remote or difficult to access places, they are places of deep reverance.