★★★★★ 5.0
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Aoyama Cemetery
263,564 square meters of what was once exclusive noble land now welcomes everyone who walks through these gates. You're standing at Japan's very first public cemetery, a revolutionary concept when it opened in 1874 after being reserved solely for aristocrats since 1872. This place holds some serious star power... Hachikō, that famous loyal dog from Shibuya Station, is buried right here alongside his owner. But here's what most tourists miss - there's a whole foreign section called Gaijin Bochi where the Europeans and Americans who helped build modern Japan rest. These weren't just any foreigners, they were the architects of Japan's transformation. That central avenue stretching almost 800 meters ahead of you? It becomes a pink tunnel during cherry blossom season with over 200 sakura trees creating the most spectacular hanami spot locals keep quiet about. The elevation here gives you killer views over Roppongi's glittering towers, making this the perfect blend of old Japan meeting the ultra-modern city. Come early morning in spring if you want those Instagram shots without the crowds.
Did You Know?
- Aoyama Cemetery is Japan’s first public cemetery, established in 1872 and opened to the public in 1874—originally reserved for nobility, it became a resting place for both prominent Japanese figures and foreign residents who contributed to Japan’s modernization, including Italian artist Edoardo Chiossone (designer of Japan’s first banknotes) and Irish journalist Francis Brinkley, making it a unique cross-cultural landmark in Tokyo’s history.
- The cemetery is famous for its breathtaking central avenue lined with cherry blossom trees stretching nearly 800 meters, creating a stunning ‘sakura tunnel’ each spring that attracts visitors for hanami (cherry blossom viewing)—despite being a solemn place, the vibrant pink blooms offer a poignant contrast between the fleeting beauty of life and the quiet permanence of memory, though picnicking is discouraged out of respect for the site.
- One of the most beloved graves belongs to Hachikō, the famously loyal Akita dog whose statue at Shibuya Station is a Tokyo icon; Hachikō was buried here alongside his owner, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno, and the story of his unwavering loyalty continues to inspire visitors, including families and children, making the cemetery a place where history, legend, and everyday life intersect.