Unexpected Encounter: Moai statues from Easter Island in Hokkaido, Japan, creating a captivating contrast.
An unexpected encounter: Moai statues from Easter Island standing in Hokkaido, Japan, creating a captivating contrast.

Makomanai Takino Cemetery

One day, or maybe one night, near a cemetery, I fell asleep …

… and found myself surrounded by Moai statues! A nightmare? A dream? No, but a typically Japanese thing.

hokkaido, japan, japanese, statue, sunset

The presence of these 10-metre high statues seems to be simply to catch the wandering eye lost on the gentle green slopes of Hokkaido.

hokkaido, japan, japanese, statue, sunset

You might be surprised to hear (or couldn’t care less?) that Moai figures are scattered all over Japan, notably in Kyushu, Sun Messe Nichinan park, Hokkaido, this cemetery, Tokyo’s Shibuya station, but particularly on Nijima Island, where I’ve been so glad to unwind in the past. .

hokkaido, japan, japanese, statue, sunset

Why so much love for Moai statues? Personally, if it was up to me, I’d have replaced these haughty and imperturbable statues by others, more progressive rock, such as those on Pink Floyd’s album The Divison Bell. But from the Japanese point of view the figures are probably there to draw tourists – simple sleek bait.

hokkaido, japan, japanese, statue, sunset

Here’s another of my theories. As Japan is closely linked to the concept of wabi-sabi (this blend of imperfection, impermanence and incompleteness), everything is in harmony (in appearance, at least) with nature. The Japanese don’t try to tame it, and often seem to be quite fatalistic.

But these Moai statues are symbols of hope. Contrary to wabi-sabi, they demonstrate a kind of perfection, permanence and completeness, a proud resistance to natural catastrophes over the centuries.

hokkaido, japan, japanese, statue, sunset

Anyway, this cemetery is a very tranquil site to visit at the end of the day. You’ll find other curiosities there, such as a replica of Stonehenge and a giant Buddha’s head. Architect Tadao Andō has done a fine job.

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Concrete arch whispers, Shattered glass mirrors echoes— Ghosts of grandeur fade. ---コンクリートのアーチの囁き、 砕けたガラスは反響を映す— 壮麗の亡霊は消えゆく。 ---#haikyo #urbanexploration #decayingbeauty #ghostsofarchitecture #offbeatjapan #abandonedjapan #japan
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Ancient jars stand still, Whispers of herbs in twilight— Healing's ghostly dance. 古い瓶が並び、 夕暮れに耳を澄ます薬草の囁き、 癒しの幽霊の舞。 #offbeatjapan #vintagejapan #japan #tradition #apothecary #hiddenhistory #japaneseculture #rusticjourney
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