Yoshiki Saito, 76, moved his parents' remains in February from a graveyard in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, to Jokyuji Temple in the western Tokyo suburb of Fuchu, where perpetual services are offered to maintain and care for graves.
But unlike other temples that offer similar perpetual services and bury remains in one large grave with others, Jokyuji Temple offers individual, albeit small, space for each family.
At the temple, small stone pillars engraved with the family name of the deceased are lined up on a shelf in front of the main hall. Each family is given a pillar and small drawer with a Buddha statue carving for the remains.