Makomanai Takino Cemetery was conceived as a place for everyone, regardless of faith, redefining the concept of a cemetery through art, architecture, and landscape design. Rather than mourning, the site invites reflection, peace, and a deeper understanding of life’s continuity.

Entrance Zone – The Moai (Easter Island)
Visitors are welcomed by a dramatic lineup of 33 giant Moai statues, some reaching up to 9.5 meters tall. Reinterpreted as modern “guardians,” these figures symbolize protection and looking toward the future, creating one of Sapporo’s most striking and surreal landscapes.

Middle Zone – Stonehenge (England)
Deeper inside the grounds stands a life-size replica of Stonehenge, arranged in the same mysterious circular formation as the original in the UK. As Stonehenge is believed to have been an ancient burial site, this zone acts as a symbolic bridge between humanity’s distant past and the present-day cemetery.

Final Zone – Hill of the Buddha (Japan)
The climax of the journey is the Hill of the Buddha, officially named Atama Daibutsu, a masterpiece by renowned architect Tadao Ando.

From the outside, only the Buddha’s head emerges from a hill covered with approximately 150,000 lavender plants. To approach the statue, visitors are guided along a path that forces them to walk around a rectangular Water Garden, which cannot be crossed. This deliberate detour creates a moment of mental pause before entering the sacred space.
During winter, the water is drained, transforming the garden into a sunken concrete plaza with a stark, contemplative atmosphere.

After circling the Water Garden, visitors pass through a 40-meter concrete tunnel and finally stand before the 13.5-meter-tall Atama Daibutsu beneath an open sky, where natural light forms a living halo around the statue—an unforgettable spiritual and architectural experience.

• Take the Namboku Subway Line to Makomanai Station

• Transfer to bus Makomanai 108 bound for Takino Reien

• Travel time is approximately 20–30 minutes, followed by a short walk

• Allow at least 1.5–2 hours to explore the entire site

• July is the best time to see the lavender hill in full bloom

• Winter offers a serene, minimalist atmosphere with snow-covered scenery

• Visit Rotunda Café & Restaurant Moai for lavender soft serve or a warm bowl of udon

Admission Fee:

• Cemetery grounds, Moai statues, and Stonehenge: Free admission

• Entry through the tunnel to view the Hill of the Buddha (Atama Daibutsu):
  Maintenance Donation: approximately 300 yen

Opening Time:

• April – October: 09:00 – 17:00

• November – March: 09:00 – 16:00