Nagasaki's Great Buddhist Cemetery

Cemetery on mountain stretches along for over a mile

By Larry Knipfing May 21, 2012 - 1 min read

Little gems like this surprise you all the time.

Not only gravestone, but statues as well.

The cemeteries sit on a slope behind the temples.

An ancient, lone statue that is well cared for.

Ancient histories and Buddhist lore are buried in these mountains.

Gravestones often sit right along the path.

Many statues sit alone, but others are gathered in groups.

Some families have their own little corner, tucked away under a group of trees.

I was told that this is the Guardian of Hell.

A small family plot, somewhere in the middle of the mountain.

You'll find the occasional Shinto shrine as well.

The most amazing cemetery I have ever visited is located on a mountainside up behind the many temples that run along the Teramachi (temple town) district of the city. If you go up into the hills at Sofukuji and then wind your way to the left, going up and down the steep slopes, in and out, around and about, you will pass through a labyrinth of very old gravestones, Buddhist statues, huge trees, and secret corners. There is a surprise behind every turn. It is awe inspiring and beautiful at the same time. And from the ridge, you have an incredible view of the city below.

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Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30+ years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have published quite a few books that take place in Japan. Fun stuff! You can find them at my Amazon Author's Page. In addition to my writing, I have mainly been working in the field of corporate training, and at the same time have done a lot of photography. *Kamakura, and now Yokohama (both in Kanagawa Prefecture) have been my home for almost twenty years and are perfect places for me: Hilly, situated on the water, and with amazing histories. The rest of Kanagawa is equally amazing and includes the great Hakone onsen and spa area. *Tochigi Prefecture, with World Heritage site Nikko, is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and not far from Tokyo. *Fukui Prefecture, located in central Japan on the coast of the Japan Sea, is brimming with classic Japanese culture and great natural beauty everywhere you look. I really look forward to sharing ALL of Japan's beauty and magic with all of you.https://linktr.ee/larryknipfing

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