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Commonwealth War Cemetery, Hodogaya (Anzac Day and Remembrance Day 2002)


COMMONWEALTH WAR CEMETERY,
YOKOHAMA HODOGAYA




About the cemetery

Yokohama War Cemetery is situated about 5 kilometers west of central Yokohama and about 30 kilometers from the centre of Tokyo. The Australian War Graves group constructed the cemetery in 1945. It is the only war cemetery in Japan administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The cemetery comprises four main parts; the United Kingdom section, The Australian section, the Canadian and New Zealand section and the Indian Forces 1939-45 section. There is also a post-war section. A Cross of Sacrifice stands in each of the first three sections. Instead of a cross, a specifically designed monument in the form of a pylon dominates plot in the fourth section. In the north wall of this section is also the Yokohama Memorial commemorating those who died while serving with the occupation forces in Japan and for whom no burial or cremation information exists.

In the Australian section of the cemetery there are graves of 277 known and 3 unknown Australians. There are 10 navy, 250 army, 8 air force and 9 merchant navy named graves. Of the 3 unknown Australians, 2 were re-buried at Yokohama from their unmarked resting place on Hainan Island in June 1992.

In the post-war section, 57 Australian servicemen are laid to rest. These include those who gave their lives in the Korean War, some from the occupation forces in Japan and those who died more recently. The grave of Warrant Officer Ray Simpson who won a Victoria Cross in Vietnam, and who subsequently lived in Japan, is in this section.

Australians interred at Hodogaya

List of War-Interred Australians

Click here to see the list of War-Interred Australians at Hodogaya Cemetery.

List of Non-War-Interred Australians

Click here to see the list of Non-War-Interred Australians at Hodogaya Cemetery.

Biographies of Australians

Read the biographies of ...

  • Lance-Corporal Ian Grant Hann
  • Corporal Alexander Kerr
  • Private Harry Tysoe
  • Private Halwyn Wilfred Buttsworth
  • Warrant Officer Class II Rayene Stewart Simpson

    Events at Hodogaya

    ANZAC DAY

    Thursday 25th of April, 2002

    The Australian and New Zealand Ambassadors to Japan wish to announce that an Anzac Day Memorial Service will be held at the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Hodogaya, on Thursday 25 April 2002, commencing at 9:00 am. All members of the Australian and New Zealand communities in Japan are invited to attend. For more information take a look at the Official Australian Government Anzac page

    On Anzac Day, the anniversary of the Gallipoli landing on 25 April 1915, the people of Australia and New Zealand commemorate the sacrifices made by their soldiers, sailors, airmen and service women.

    Read more about Anzac Day: The Significance of Anzac Day

    For more information or inquiries, contact
    Tel.: 03-5232-4111



    REMEMBRANCE DAY

    Sunday 10 November, 2002

    A Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held starting at 10:30 a.m. (TBC) on Sunday 10 November 2002 at the Commonwealth War Cemetery, Hodogaya, Yokohama, to honour the memory of Commonwealth servicemen and servicewomen who fell during the two World Wars and other wars.

    All members of the Australian and Commonwealth communities in Japan are invited to attend. For more information take a look at the Official Australian Government Remembrance Day site.

    Official Australian Government Remembrance Day

    How to get there by car

    From Tokyo to Nagata (map 1)
    There are two options:

    • The most direct route:
      Follow Route 1 towards Yokohama. Halfway down it becomes K1. Shortly thereafter, turn off onto K5, cross the Bay Bridge and then onto K3. Follow this road to the Nagata Exit, refer to Map 2 for final directions.
    • The more scenice Bay Shore Route:
      Following the signs for the bay shore route, take route 11 from Tokyo over the Rainbow Bridge, past Haneda Airport, over the Tsurumi-tsubasa and Bay Bridges. Turn onto K3. Once you arrive at the Nagata Exit, refer to Map 2 for the final leg of the trip.

    From Nagata to the Hodogaya Cemetery (map 2)

    1. Turn left at the junction at the bottom of the Nagata exit ramp. Follow this road for three blocks, until you reach the first set of traffic lights. A very small police box is at this intersection.
    2. Turn right and continue along this narrow road for about 2 km.
    3. You will pass a Shell Service Station after about half a kilometre, shortly thereafter the road veers to your left. Keep going!
    4. When you reach the Idemitsu Service Station, turn right. This even narrower road will take you up a twisty path to the top of the hill.
    5. Just after you crest the hill (and the road straightens out again), you should see a police man directing the traffic into the cemetery (a sharp left, down a very steep driveway). Go slowly!
    The Australian part of the cemetery, where this day's Anzac service will commence at 9:00 am, is a short walk to the right down the path at the bottom of the driveway. Just follow the signs.

    Maps

    (Click on the images for larger, printable versions)


    Map 1, The route from Tokyo to Nagata

    Map 2, The route from Nagata to Hodogaya

    Map 3, The Hodogaya Cemetery
     

    How to get there by bus or taxi

    From Yokohama Station
    Take bus no. 77, depart stand no. 11, Sogo Bus terminal
    Approximately 24 minutes travelling time

    Anzac Day,
    Departure from Yokohama
    Thursday 25 April

      7:45
      8:45
      9:40
      10:10
      10:40
    Remembrance Day,
    Departure from Yokohama
    Sunday 10 November

      8:50
      9:25
      10:10
      10:25
      10:45

    Closest stop to the cemetery is Jidou Yuuenchi Iriguchi mae.

    This information supplied by Yokohama City Office Transport Information Section, tel. 04-5671-2121.

    By taxi
    A taxi from Hodogaya Station should take about 9 minutes and cost approximately 1,000 yen = Aus $15.

    Links


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    Last updated: Friday, 08-Mar-2002 11:15:53 JST