Pet Cremation and Municipal Pickup in Nara — Fees and How to Apply, 12 Cities

Last updated: August 8, 2026 (Re-checked against 792 official city pages nationwide)

This page contains affiliate links (PR).

Pick your city below to see the fee, how to apply, and whether the ashes come back, with a link to that city's official page.

  • We checked each of Nara's 12 municipalities against its own official page (re-checked August 8, 2026)
  • Municipal pickup is communal cremation or burial as a rule, and ashes are not returned
  • If you want the ashes back, a private pet cremation service is the option

Besides a private cremation company, asking your municipality to take the body is another option when a pet dies. Below, we've summarized what each city in Nara states on its official site. Neither option is objectively right — it's reasonable to choose based on whether getting the ashes back matters to you.

Pick your city

Fees, ash return, and what to do — by city

Fees and conditions come from each city's official page. Phone numbers can change, so open the official page from each card's button and call the number listed there.

Nara (奈良市)

They can come collect it · Drop-off Free · Ashes not returned

Pickup
¥1,000 (free for strays)
Drop-off
Free
Ash return
No (communal cremation, so ash collection is not possible)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物を教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring.

Open Nara (奈良市)'s official pagecity.nara.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Yamatotakada (大和高田市)

They can come collect it · Drop-off: call to confirm · Ashes not returned

Pickup
City staff collect from your home. ¥3,000 per animal (processed as waste; apply by phone to the Beautification Promotion Division on weekdays 8:30-15:00)
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site
Ash return
Not allowed (handled as waste disposal, not cremation; those who want cremation are referred to a private company)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物を教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring.

Open Yamatotakada (大和高田市)'s official pagecity.yamatotakada.nara.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Yamatokoriyama (大和郡山市)

Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return: call to confirm

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (explicitly states no at-home collection; drop-off at the facility only)
Drop-off
Drop-off at the Cleaning Center, ¥550 per animal (effective October 1, 2019)
Ash return
Not stated on the official site (only mentions a memorial monument; no mention of an ash-return service)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物、遺骨が戻るかどうかを教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring, whether the ashes are returned.

Open Yamatokoriyama (大和郡山市)'s official pagecity.yamatokoriyama.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Tenri (天理市)

Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ashes not returned

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (drop-off is assumed, after contacting the office)
Drop-off
Drop-off at Tenri City Cleaning Management Office (from May 7, 2025) / Tenri City Environmental Clean Center (through May 6, 2025). ¥1,030 per animal (cardboard box no larger than 435mm x 335mm x 320mm)
Ash return
Not allowed (processed as waste)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物を教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring.

Open Tenri (天理市)'s official pagecity.tenri.nara.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Kashihara (橿原市)

They can come collect it · Drop-off: call to confirm · Ash return: call to confirm

Pickup
Pickup available (a visit can be requested if drop-off is not possible; treated as incineration processing, estimated at ¥1,040 per animal, though not explicitly stated)
Drop-off
Two options: drop-off at the Collection Services Division, ¥1,040 per animal (incineration), or the municipal crematorium (fee not stated on the official site)
Ash return
The municipal crematorium does not allow it (ash collection for small animals is not possible); the incineration route is not stated on the official site
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物、遺骨が戻るかどうかを教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring, whether the ashes are returned.

Open Kashihara (橿原市)'s official pagecity.kashihara.nara.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Sakurai (桜井市)

They can come collect it · Drop-off available · Ashes not returned

Pickup
¥500 (processing fee)
Drop-off
¥300 (processing fee)
Ash return
Not allowed (processed as waste; states clearly that ashes are not returned)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物を教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring.

Open Sakurai (桜井市)'s official pagecity.sakurai.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Gojo (五條市)

Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ashes not returned

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (drop-off at the crematorium assumed; advance phone reservation required)
Drop-off
Communal cremation: residents ¥5,000 / non-residents ¥20,000 (10kg or under). Individual cremation: residents ¥20,000 / non-residents ¥80,000 (10kg or under)
Ash return
Communal cremation: not allowed (no ash return). Individual cremation: allowed (ashes collected)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物を教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring.

Open Gojo (五條市)'s official pagecity.gojo.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Gose (御所市)

Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ashes not returned

Pickup
Not offered (official text states home pickup is not provided)
Drop-off
Communal cremation: residents ¥5,000 / non-residents ¥20,000. Individual cremation: residents ¥20,000 / non-residents ¥80,000 (both for 10kg or under; add extra for each 5kg increment over 10kg)
Ash return
Communal cremation: not allowed (no ash return). Individual cremation: allowed (handed over from 8:30 the next day)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物を教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring.

Open Gose (御所市)'s official pagecity.gose.nara.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Ikoma (生駒市)

Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return available on request

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
¥2,094 (drop-off at city hall, cremated as waste). Alternatively, cremation at Heguri Nogiku-no-Sato Crematorium is available (no return of ashes ¥4,000 / ashes returned ¥30,000, for 15kg or under)
Ash return
Drop-off at city hall not eligible (treated as waste disposal). Ash collection can be selected at Heguri Nogiku-no-Sato Funeral Hall
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物を教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring.

Open Ikoma (生駒市)'s official pagecity.ikoma.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to be there to say goodbye

Kashiba (香芝市)

Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ashes not returned

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (no mention of home pickup)
Drop-off
Owned dogs ¥3,000, other animals ¥2,000 (drop-off at city hall)
Ash return
Not allowed (explicitly stated that, due to communal cremation, witnessing and handover of ashes are not allowed)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物を教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring.

Open Kashiba (香芝市)'s official pagecity.kashiba.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Katsuragi (葛城市)

Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return: call to confirm

Pickup
¥11,000 per animal (when requesting the city to handle disposal; the page does not state whether this is pickup or drop-off)
Drop-off
¥11,000 per animal (same as above)
Ash return
Not stated on the official site (those wanting cremation or burial are guided to use a private company)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いしたいのですが、受付時間と持ち物、遺骨が戻るかどうかを教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask you to take the body, and I'd like to ask about reception hours and what to bring, whether the ashes are returned.

Open Katsuragi (葛城市)'s official pagecity.katsuragi.nara.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Uda (宇陀市)

Not stated on the official page — call the office to confirm

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (the city-run Fukido Crematorium page makes no mention of pets)
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site (same as above)
Ash return
Not stated on the official site (same as above)
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Open the official page below and call the office
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

What to say on the phone (in Japanese — read this to the office)
「飼っていたペットが亡くなりました。引き取りをお願いできるかどうか、料金、遺骨が戻るかどうかを教えてください」
English: My pet has died. I'd like to ask about whether you can take the body, the fee, whether the ashes are returned.

Open Uda (宇陀市)'s official pagecity.uda.nara.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Fees and conditions can change. Always confirm the latest details on the official page and with the office before you apply. 1 of these municipalities don't publish a fee on their official page, so you'll need to call to ask.

If you want to keep the ashes, or the municipal option doesn't work for you

Municipal pickup is communal cremation or burial as a rule, and most don't return the ashes. You also can't be present. If you want to keep the ashes, or be there until the end, a private pet cremation service is the option.

The difference between communal, individual (unattended), and witnessed individual cremation is covered on ourTypes of cremation page; typical costs are on our Cremation costspage; and what to check when picking a company is on our Choosing a provider page. Whichever company you choose, confirm a total price with no surprise extras before you book. If you're not sure where to start, a nationwide referral service that gathers quotes from multiple providers is one way in.

Request a quote through Pet Sōgi 110-ban

Pet Kasou Happiness (ペット火葬ハピネス) is another mobile cremation option available nationwide. Its published rate is a starting price (¥5,500+), so confirm the full total here too before booking.

Contact Pet Kasou Happiness

If you live in a town or village not listed here

The list above covers Nara's cities. Towns and villages have their own separate fees and programs, so call your local town or village office (often the environment or sanitation division) to ask. There are only three things you need to ask:

  1. The fee for pickup and for drop-off, separately
  2. Whether ashes are returned (most municipalities use communal cremation or burial, with no ash return)
  3. Any weight or size limit (some cap it at, for example, under 25kg)

If your local office can't help, a private service can be reached anywhere in Japan.

Get a cremation quote from a nationwide service

Nearby prefectures

If your pet passed away while visiting family, or you'd like to compare an option across a prefecture border, the other prefectures in the Kinki (Kansai) region are laid out the same way.

Comparing by price or ash return

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to have Nara cremate or pick up a pet?

Among the 9 municipalities where we could confirm a drop-off fee on the official page, the cheapest is Sakurai (桜井市) at ¥300, and the highest is Katsuragi (葛城市) at ¥11,000 (as of August 2026). Nara (奈良市) offer free drop-off. Pickup (having them come collect it) usually costs extra in most cities, so check each city's card above for details.

Do municipalities in Nara return the ashes?

In Nara, the municipalities where we could confirm an ash-return option on the official page are Ikoma (生駒市). The rest use communal cremation or burial as a rule, and ashes are not returned. If you want to be certain of getting the ashes back, a private pet cremation service is the option.

Before I call the city office, what should I do first?

First, keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (especially urgent in summer). Then call your city or ward office. For dogs, you'll also need to file a death notification within 30 days. What to do on the day itself is covered on our "what to do right away" page.

Read next

If you spot an error in this content, please write to [email protected] — we'll check it and fix it promptly.