Oku-no-in Cemetery, Koya-san

Immerse yourself in the peace of a forest graveyard

Peter Sidell Mar 19, 2013 - 1 min read

<p>Trees and foliage grow around all the graves</p>

<p>The memorials come in many designs and sizes</p>

<p>Some of the more modern memorials have striking designs</p>

<p>The denseness of the graves and forest create a hushed atmosphere</p>

<p>There are thousands of graves and markers of different shapes and sizes</p>

<p>Sometimes it seems that nature is trying to reclaim her territory</p>

<p>Stupas, graves, towers, pagodas, statues: you'll find everything here</p>

<p>Some statues of the Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy</p>

<p>A number of companies keep plots here for former employees</p>

<p>Another company grave for past employees, as the snow begins to fall</p>

<p>The best-known memorial in the modern part of the cemetery is the rocket</p>

Two hours south of Osaka, the mountaintop plateau of Koya-san is home to Oku-no-in, an ancient forest cemetery. There are thousands of graves and markers crowded here among the towering cedar trees, many of them so old that they're completely overgrown with moss and foliage. It's a uniquely atmospheric place, enhanced by the dappled light filtering down through the forest, suffused with stillness, history and nature.

Peter Sidell @peter.sidell

I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.