[Overseas Media Coverage] "Hanauta Garden-Ito-" Interviewed by Singapore Broadcasting, Televised in 29 Countries Worldwide and Released on YouTube
"Hanauta Garden-Ito-", a tree burial cemetery in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, was interviewed by Singaporean broadcaster CNA, and its initiatives were televised in 29 countries worldwide and released on YouTube. The cemetery, located within a national park, boasts a vast area of approximately 48,000m² with over 10,000 plots, characterized by a beautiful natural environment with seasonal flowers. It proposes a new form of memorial service called "Hana Nokotsushiki" (flower interment ceremony), where drones guide visitors to the interment site instead of traditional gravestones.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 19:14
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 02:56 (40h 25m after Collected)
Summary
"Hanauta Garden-Ito-" was featured in an interview by CNA, a Singaporean broadcaster with the largest influence in Singapore and a network across Asia. The report introduced the unique services provided by "Hanauta Garden-Ito-", its coexistence with the local community, and its initiatives that leverage Japan's rich natural environment.
(From the broadcast content) "Hanauta Garden-Ito-" seen from above (From the broadcast content) Visiting a grave with a beloved dog
Currently, in East Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, urban China), as the population ages and the traditional family support system changes, there is a growing movement to re-evaluate "death," "funerals," and "memorial services."
The program interviewed advanced Japanese companies and religious/funeral professionals who are exploring new forms of "Good Death" in response to this situation, and conveyed the initiatives of "Hanauta Garden-Ito-" to the world.
The content also highlights the philosophies, aspirations, challenges, and social significance of each stakeholder.
(From the broadcast content) Drone indicates the location of the grave (From the broadcast content) Offering flowers at an interment ceremony
(From the broadcast content) Family enjoying the view from the cemetery
Broadcast/Release Information
Broadcaster: CNA (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation)
Program Name: CNA Regional Docu "Japan's End-of-Life Frontline" (Original title: Why People Practise Dying: East Asia's Living Funerals & Coffin Therapy | Good Death Innovators)
Release Date: March 18, 2026
YouTube Video Title: CAN Insider/WhyPeople Practise Dying: East Asia's Living Funerals & Coffin Therapy | Good Death Innovators
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usu5bXUDbxY&t=2113s
About Hanauta Garden-Ito-
Hanauta Garden-Ito-
Chino Hanabana Memorial Garden Public Interest Incorporated Foundation (Representative Director: Shin Akasaka, Location: Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture) opened the large-scale tree burial cemetery "Hanauta Garden-Ito-" in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture on September 21, 2024. "Hanauta Garden-Ito-" is a completely new type of tree burial cemetery operated by a public interest incorporated foundation within a national park, the first of its kind in Japan.
A place of eternal rest surrounded by spectacular scenery
"Hanauta Garden-Ito-" is a large-scale cemetery with over 10,000 plots, located on a vast hill of approximately 48,000m² within a national park overlooking Sagami Bay and the Izu Seven Islands. 140 types of flowering trees and plants, such as roses, cherry blossoms, flowering peaches, hydrangeas, crape myrtles, and rosemary, color the hill throughout the four seasons. Mount Fuji can also be seen from the administration office. Surrounded by beautiful nature, the bright atmosphere allows bereaved families to spend time as if they were visiting a resort.
Proposing a new normal "Hana Nokotsushiki" (flower interment ceremony) with a flower shower send-off
No gravestones or markers, drones guide to the interment site
"Hanauta Garden-Ito-" proposes a new style of "Hana Nokotsushiki" that values individual thoughts and feelings, celebrating eternal rest with a flower shower, without incense burning or offerings, and recommending casual attire for the send-off. The cremated remains are pulverized and placed in original paper urns that dissolve in the soil. Surrounded by nature, the remains return to the earth, become flowers, and find eternal rest. There is no altar, gravestone, or marker. The interment site is managed by data, and drones identify and guide to the location.
Drones identifying and hovering over the interment site Image of Hana Nokotsushiki 1 Image of Hana Nokotsushiki 2 Image of Hana Nokotsushiki 3
■ About the Operating Organization
Corporate Name: Chino Hanabana Memorial Garden Public Interest Incorporated Foundation
Representative Director: Shin Akasaka
Location: 1006 Yoshida, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture 414-0051
Date of Approval: June 16, Reiwa 5 (2023)
Approval Number: Ito City Order No. 964
Total Area: 48535.02m²
Main Facilities: Administration office, rest area
Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Every Tuesday and irregular holidays
"Hanauta Garden-Ito-" was featured in an interview by CNA, a Singaporean broadcaster with the largest influence in Singapore and a network across Asia. The report introduced the unique services provided by "Hanauta Garden-Ito-", its coexistence with the local community, and its initiatives that leverage Japan's rich natural environment.
(From the broadcast content) "Hanauta Garden-Ito-" seen from above (From the broadcast content) Visiting a grave with a beloved dog
Currently, in East Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, urban China), as the population ages and the traditional family support system changes, there is a growing movement to re-evaluate "death," "funerals," and "memorial services."
The program interviewed advanced Japanese companies and religious/funeral professionals who are exploring new forms of "Good Death" in response to this situation, and conveyed the initiatives of "Hanauta Garden-Ito-" to the world.
The content also highlights the philosophies, aspirations, challenges, and social significance of each stakeholder.
(From the broadcast content) Drone indicates the location of the grave (From the broadcast content) Offering flowers at an interment ceremony
(From the broadcast content) Family enjoying the view from the cemetery
Broadcast/Release Information
Broadcaster: CNA (Singapore Broadcasting Corporation)
Program Name: CNA Regional Docu "Japan's End-of-Life Frontline" (Original title: Why People Practise Dying: East Asia's Living Funerals & Coffin Therapy | Good Death Innovators)
Release Date: March 18, 2026
YouTube Video Title: CAN Insider/WhyPeople Practise Dying: East Asia's Living Funerals & Coffin Therapy | Good Death Innovators
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usu5bXUDbxY&t=2113s
About Hanauta Garden-Ito-
Hanauta Garden-Ito-
Chino Hanabana Memorial Garden Public Interest Incorporated Foundation (Representative Director: Shin Akasaka, Location: Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture) opened the large-scale tree burial cemetery "Hanauta Garden-Ito-" in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture on September 21, 2024. "Hanauta Garden-Ito-" is a completely new type of tree burial cemetery operated by a public interest incorporated foundation within a national park, the first of its kind in Japan.
A place of eternal rest surrounded by spectacular scenery
"Hanauta Garden-Ito-" is a large-scale cemetery with over 10,000 plots, located on a vast hill of approximately 48,000m² within a national park overlooking Sagami Bay and the Izu Seven Islands. 140 types of flowering trees and plants, such as roses, cherry blossoms, flowering peaches, hydrangeas, crape myrtles, and rosemary, color the hill throughout the four seasons. Mount Fuji can also be seen from the administration office. Surrounded by beautiful nature, the bright atmosphere allows bereaved families to spend time as if they were visiting a resort.
Proposing a new normal "Hana Nokotsushiki" (flower interment ceremony) with a flower shower send-off
No gravestones or markers, drones guide to the interment site
"Hanauta Garden-Ito-" proposes a new style of "Hana Nokotsushiki" that values individual thoughts and feelings, celebrating eternal rest with a flower shower, without incense burning or offerings, and recommending casual attire for the send-off. The cremated remains are pulverized and placed in original paper urns that dissolve in the soil. Surrounded by nature, the remains return to the earth, become flowers, and find eternal rest. There is no altar, gravestone, or marker. The interment site is managed by data, and drones identify and guide to the location.
Drones identifying and hovering over the interment site Image of Hana Nokotsushiki 1 Image of Hana Nokotsushiki 2 Image of Hana Nokotsushiki 3
■ About the Operating Organization
Corporate Name: Chino Hanabana Memorial Garden Public Interest Incorporated Foundation
Representative Director: Shin Akasaka
Location: 1006 Yoshida, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture 414-0051
Date of Approval: June 16, Reiwa 5 (2023)
Approval Number: Ito City Order No. 964
Total Area: 48535.02m²
Main Facilities: Administration office, rest area
Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Every Tuesday and irregular holidays