Foreigners' Cemetery, Foreign cemetery near Mt Hakodate, Japan
The Foreigners' Cemetery is a burial ground on a hillside overlooking Hakodate Bay, with all graves positioned to face the ocean and harbor entrance. The site spreads across several levels with paved paths winding between gravestones from different periods.
The cemetery developed as a burial place for foreign sailors and settlers who died in Hakodate during Japan's period of international opening. Two sailors from Commodore Matthew Perry's fleet, who played a role in early trade discussions, rest among the graves.
The burial ground is organized into sections for different nationalities and faiths, including Protestant, Russian Orthodox, and Chinese areas, each maintained by separate local associations. This arrangement shows how various communities coexisted in this shared space.
The cemetery is easy to reach from central Hakodate and the climb is moderate, with paved paths that make walking straightforward. It is best to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the different sections at a relaxed pace.
The cemetery is one of only five major foreign burial grounds in Japan's former treaty ports, making it a rare relic of that era. This scarcity makes it an important witness to how Japan managed foreign presence during this transformative period.
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