The Japanese Cemetery in Broome

posted in: Western Australia

We drove by the Japanese Cemetery a couple of times before we had the chance to stop in for a look.  It would be easy to think it’s all related to WWII but that’s not the case, it all has to do with Broome’s pearling history.  Many divers lost their lives here in Broome. The Japanese Cemetery in Broome | How Many More Minutes? Many were killed due to cyclones as well.  In total there are 919 people buried here.  DSC_8035 The cemetery was so well arranged in perfect rows.  So many of the headstones are made from coloured rock that it gives the cemetery a uniform look.  There are darker, more modern looking headstones interspersed among the others. The Japanese Cemetery in Broome | How Many More Minutes? It was a beautiful cemetery, so different from the green grass I’ve seen at so many.  The headstones were magnificent, I wish there had been translations available. The Japanese Cemetery in Broome | How Many More Minutes? The Japanese Cemetery in Broome | How Many More Minutes? The Japanese Cemetery in Broome | How Many More Minutes? The Japanese Cemetery in Broome | How Many More Minutes? This was the obelisk mentioned in the sign at the entrance that is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the cyclone of 1908.  I have no idea how many names are on this monument but it looks to be numerous.  A quick search reveals there were two cyclones that year, with many ships (luggers) and lives lost. The Japanese Cemetery in Broome | How Many More Minutes? The Japanese Cemetery in Broome | How Many More Minutes? We weren’t the only tourists stopping in that afternoon.  I can’t say that a cemetery is high on the list of places kids want to visit, but this one was memorable.  We exclaimed over all the gorgeous headstones and imagined the dangers of life as a pearl diver a hundred years ago.

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