From the summit of Mount Hakadote overlooking the Kamel Peninsula, Henry and I descended on a steep path interrupted only by the curves of the switchback road and an occasional Buddhist shrine. Suddenly, nearing sea level, we came upon  the stepped burial site of the Foreign Cemetery, then found the adjoining temple, Koryu-ji Temple. Here, at the Kanon-do, is the memorial to Takadaya. His descendants also have a burial site on the mountain, a place of honor for the family of the founder of Hakadote as a  commercial center of trade. Kahei Takadaya was born in Awajishima in 1769. A shipping entrepreneur, he opened a branch in the Hakadote Omachi in 1798. Along with his  younger brother, Kimbei, Kahei focused himself on the development of the fishing grounds in Chishima-Etrup, and with the accumulated fortune, contributed to the economic and industrial development of Hakadote. Kahei is also known to have played an important role in the solution of territorial disputes between Japan and Russia. A monument in honor of his service was erected in front of the Kannon-do. Although Kahei was buried in his hometown in Awaji,a grave was built in his honor in Shomoji Temple in Hakadote, since many of his descendants live here.

PHOTOS:  Left Column: 1. The Foreign Cemetery, adjoining Koryu-ji Temple. The terraced slope has stepped burial stones for foreigners who die here. The first U.S. citizen to die on Japanese soil, a US Navy mariner under Commodore Perry’s command, was buried here. Another burial site honoring Takadaya’s descendants a the Koryu-ji Temple is also on Hakadote Mountain. 2. Koryu-ji Temple. 3.  View of the burial stones and Kory-ji Temple. 4. Memorial stone to Kahei Takadya. Right Middle: Burial shrine and burial stones at Koryu-ji Temple on Hakadote Mountain. The Japanese traditionally like their graves to be nearer the heavens, preferably on a mountain. Right Bottom: The Kannon-do, the memorial to Kahei Takadaya.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                            BACK TO MAP PAGE