Hijiyama Army Cemetery, Military cemetery in Minami-ku, Japan
Hijiyama Army Cemetery is a military burial ground in Hiroshima's southern district holding approximately 3500 graves of soldiers from different periods. The grounds are well-maintained with organized pathways running between the gravestones, making it easy to walk through the entire site.
The cemetery was established in 1872 and originally sat at a different location before being moved in 1949 to make room for the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission center. This relocation marked a significant change in how the site was organized and what surrounded it.
The cemetery displays different types of grave markers and memorial stones that reflect how people honor those who died in military service. Walking through, you notice how visitors pause at certain graves and leave offerings, showing the enduring connection between living and departed.
The grounds are straightforward to explore on foot, with clear pathways that are regularly maintained throughout the site. You should wear comfortable shoes and set aside enough time to walk through the entire cemetery area at a respectful pace.
The grounds hold graves of soldiers from other nations including China, France, and Germany who died in Hiroshima during different conflicts. These burials reveal stories of warfare that extended far beyond Japan's borders and touched people from across the world.
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