Japanese Cemetery

So much of Japan is based on maximizing land -- and cemeteries are no exception. People are generally cremated and added to a family plot to conserve room. Headstones are understated with little room for grand mausoleums.

A typical cemetery scene, multiple rows of stones.

There's certainly room for each family to make a personal expression through stone choice. Graves are further customized with the addition of prayer sticks.

The patina builds up, adding gravitas to the graves.