Zoshigaya Cemetery

In short

Zoshigaya Cemetery is a metropolitan cemetery located in a residential area of Minami-Ikebukuro, near Ikebukuro. Opened in 1874 (Meiji 7), it is the resting place of many cultural figures, including Natsume Soseki, Koizumi Yakumo, Takehisa Yumeji, and Nagai Kafu. With its coppice-like greenery, it is also a cemetery that many people visit for a stroll.

• ​Graves of Cultural Figures​​: Graves of well-known people, such as Natsume Soseki and John Manjiro, are scattered throughout the grounds.
• ​The Cemetery of "Kokoro"​​: In the novel Kokoro, Natsume Soseki depicted "Sensei" visiting this cemetery every month to pay respects at a grave.
• ​Zelkova and Ginkgo Trees​​: There are many old zelkova trees, and in autumn, the yellow leaves of tall ginkgo trees can be seen.

History and Highlights

​Zoshigaya Cemetery​ is a metropolitan cemetery located in Minami-Ikebukuro 4-chome, Toshima Ward. Originally the Zoshigaya Asahidecho Cemetery, it was taken over by Tokyo Prefecture and opened as Zoshigaya Cemetery on September 1, 1874 (Meiji 7). Jurisdiction was transferred to Tokyo City in 1889 (Meiji 22), and it received its current Japanese name, "Zoshigaya Reien" (Zoshigaya Cemetery), in 1935 (Showa 10). It covers an area of approximately 10.6 hectares.

Although close to the Ikebukuro subcenter, the grounds are largely flat and retain abundant greenery, including old zelkova trees. It offers an environment close to nature, like a copse of mixed trees.

Many cultural figures rest in this cemetery, including Natsume Soseki, Koizumi Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn), Takehisa Yumeji, and Nagai Kafu. There are also graves of the poet Sato Hachiro, John Manjiro, who was active from the end of the Edo period into the Meiji era, and Ikeda Kikunae, the chemist who discovered the component of umami.

Natsume Soseki depicted this cemetery in his novel Kokoro. In the work, "Sensei" visits every month to offer flowers at the grave of his friend resting in the Zoshigaya cemetery. There is also a scene where "I" asks, "Sensei, have the ginkgo trees in Zoshigaya already lost their leaves?"

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Grave of Natsume Soseki​​: Located in the southeastern part of the cemetery, at Area 1, Section 14, Row 1, No. 3. You can walk through the cemetery where "Sensei" in Kokoro went to pay respects while visiting the author's own grave.
• ​Touring the Graves of Cultural Figures​​: Graves of cultural figures such as novelists and musicians are located throughout the cemetery. In the eastern part of the cemetery, at Area 1, Section 15, Row 19, No. 1, is the grave of John Manjiro. The park map provided by the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association lists the notable individuals resting in the cemetery along with their grave numbers.
• ​Zelkova and Ginkgo Trees​​: Many old zelkova trees can be seen on the grounds. There are also many tall ginkgo trees, and in autumn you can view beautiful yellow leaves. Walking while recalling the scene of the ginkgo trees in Kokoro is also recommended.

Tips for Exploring

It is about a 2-minute walk after getting off at the "Toden-Zoshigaya" stop on the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line). It is about a 7-minute walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, and about an 8-minute walk from Zoshigaya Station on the Fukutoshin Line. The administration office is located at 4-25-1 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward. When looking for graves, the "Bosho Navi" (grave navigation) available on smartphones will guide you close to the burial plot. Because it is a cemetery where people still visit to pay their respects today, please walk quietly. About 540 meters to the west is Zoshigaya Kishimojin Temple.