Aoyama Cemetery – An Urban Oasis

Plan to visit the Aoyama Cemetery on your next trip to Tokyo.  Believe it, or not, Tokyoites use this cemetery as a place to enjoy the cherry blossoms each spring and as a jogging or walking are year round.  Aoyama Cemetery offers a beautiful park-like setting in the heart of Tokyo.

“Aoyama Cemetery, perhaps best described as an urban oasis, has been in existence for over 130 years. As one of the four city-owned cemeteries, it is the eternal resting place of over 120,000 graves, including many politicians, writers, Hachiko the famous loyal dog, and nearly 200 foreigners since the Meiji period.”

Source: Japan Now & Then, Aoyama Cemetery–Foreigner’s Graves in Danger

Aoyama Cemetery Access:
7-minute walk from Gaien Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. 10-minute walk from Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Subway Chiyoda Line. 10-minute walk from Aoyama 1-chome Station on the Tokyo Metro Subway Hanzomon Line or Toei Subway Oedo Line.

Visit the Cemetery Administration office near the Aoyama-dori entrance (Aoyama area map) to pick up a map of the cemetery and its once famous residents. Admission is free.

Image Credit:  Flickr, Cemetery Road