Translation for Foreign Visitors
Doll Memorial Service (Ningyō Kuyo)

At Yūsen-ji Temple, we respectfully accept dolls of any material — whether wood, clay, celluloid, etc. — in any size and in any quantity. For each cardboard box, we request a memorial service donation (kuyō shino) of ¥3,000 to ¥5,000. While this is the standard donation, we trust your discretion based on the size and number of dolls.

If you are sending dolls by mail, please place your donation inside the box. Before sending them, we kindly ask that you express your gratitude to the dolls (e.g., quietly say “thank you”).

Upon arrival at the temple, the dolls will be enshrined in the Ningyō-zuka, a memorial mound for dolls. Many people find comfort in offering a silent “thank you” (arigatō) at this mound, believing that it brings joy to the spirits of the dolls.

For those who wish to bring their dolls in person and would like to participate in the service on the day, please let us know beforehand. We will conduct a short service (about 15–20 minutes), during which we all express “thank you” together in a ceremonial offering. If you’d like this experience, there is an additional fee of ¥5,000.

Summary Table
Method of Delivery Donation (per box) Additional Notes
Mail (postage paid by you) ¥3,000 – ¥5,000 Please enclose donation inside; service begins the next day
In-person drop-off ¥3,000 – ¥5,000 Silent “thank you” at Ningyō-zuka; same as above
In-person with ceremony ¥3,000 – ¥5,000 + ¥5,000 15–20 minute service with temple; prior notice required
Home pickup (if needed) ¥5,000 (per box) Available on request; subject to regional availability
Mailing Address (for sending dolls by mail)
Yūsen-ji Temple
1773 Kuragaki, Nōse-cho, Toyono-gun
Osaka Prefecture 563-0113
Japan
TEL: 072-737-1440
FAX: 072-737-0429

Sample English Message to Include Inside the Box

Dear Yūsen-ji Temple,

Thank you for accepting my dolls for the memorial service. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to these dolls for the joy they have brought into my life.

Thank you kindly,