Keyhole-shaped tomb surrounded by a water moat. August 15, Takamatsu City
Modern reinterpretations of Japan's ancient zenpokoenfun (keyhole-shaped tombs), adapted into tree-burial sites, are drawing growing interest. As the declining number of births and the spread of nuclear families make it harder to maintain traditional graves, many are turning to haka-jimai, the practice of closing family graves. These new tombs offer an appealing alternative: they require no heirs, no management fees, and no religious affiliation.
The company Zenpokoenfun (Tokyo), founded by author Tsuneyasu Takeda (49), a great-great-grandson of Emperor Meiji, is leading the way. "This isn't just a replica of the form," Takeda says. "We've worked to faithfully bring kofun culture into the modern age. I want to pass down the spirit of the Kofun period (50–538 CE), when people honored the dead with care and reverence."
Burial for 5,000 in a Single Tomb
The keyhole-shaped tomb completed in May 2025 in Takamatsu stretches about 17.5 meters in length. Inside are 438 single plots, 1,338 double plots, and additional shared sections, enough space to accommodate roughly 5,000 people. Inspired by kofun built in Yamato (present-day Nara) during the early to mid-3rd century, the design follows ancient prototypes. The circular section will house replicas of the "Three Sacred Treasures" (the imperial regalia) of Japan: a mirror, a sword, and a magatama jewel.
This site comes with no obligation to join a temple parish, no need for heirs, and no restrictions on religion. Zenpokoenfun has set prices at ¥557,500 JPY ($3,680 USD) for a single plot, ¥717,500 to ¥980,000 ($4,736–$6,468) for a double, and ¥182,000 ($1,201) for a shared burial (tax included).
Interest has been strong. Across the Takamatsu site and another completed in March 2025 in Chiba, the company has already sold more than 200 plots, while over 6,000 people have registered to be notified about future projects.
Takeda believes the appeal is rooted in symbolism. "A keyhole tomb is a natural form, yet one carefully shaped by people," he explains. "It creates the sense of human society and the natural world existing as one, an idea that resonates with Japanese values."
A Personal Choice
In September, 55-year-old Emi Matsui of Takamatsu will lay her late husband to rest. "Since we have no children, I was looking for an eternal-care grave (eternal memorial services where cemeteries manage remains in place of heirs) that I could also join someday," she explained. "When I heard a kofun-style tomb was being offered in Takamatsu, I decided on a double plot right away. It has a solemn atmosphere, a sense of uniqueness, and I'm very satisfied."
The company is expanding its projects to Daito in Osaka, as well as Matsuyama and Hiroshima. "I design these tombs as if I'll be entering one myself, paying attention to every detail," said Takeda. "Our goal is to build around 100, ranging from small to large, within the next five years."
The firm also plans community gatherings for buyers at its Chiba site. "It matters to know who you'll share a resting place with," Takeda added. "A grave can be the starting point for new bonds and communities. Through this, I want to help people not only prepare for death, but also find ways to live more fully until then."
Closing Family Graves
Traditionally, children were expected to take responsibility for their family's grave. Today, however, many arrange their own in advance to avoid burdening children or grandchildren. In rural areas, especially, young people leave home for school or work, leading to an increase in closing ancestral graves.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's 2023 administrative report, the number of grave relocations reached an all-time high of 166,886 nationwide.
A survey by Kamakura Shinsho (Tokyo), a provider of funeral planning services, found that tree burials were the most common alternative choice to the traditional method at 48.5%. Conventional stone graves accounted for 17.0%, ossuaries 16.1%, and collective graves 14.6%. Demand is rising for eternal-care graves. The main deciding factors were the type of grave (49.4%), cost (41.9%), and no need for successors (36.7%).
New Forms of Mourning
Yoshio Onishi, manager of the Takamatsu Hotaru Rose Garden, where the kofun tomb was built, says changing customs have only accelerated since COVID-19. "Many people began avoiding gatherings, with some even cutting off ties with relatives," he explained. "Even in rural areas, the pressure of neighbors' eyes has faded. Funerals that were once large public events have shifted to small family ceremonies, and traditional stone monuments have given way to tree burials almost overnight."
Tree burials, he added, offer particular flexibility. "People no longer feel bound by bloodlines — friends now often purchase adjoining plots as haka-tomo ['grave friends']. The ways people choose to memorialize the dead are diversifying, and that trend will only grow."
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Motohiro Wada, The Sankei Shimbun
