Pet Cremation and Municipal Pickup in Yamagata — Fees and How to Apply, 13 Cities
Last updated: August 8, 2026 (Re-checked against 792 official city pages nationwide)
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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 Yamagata's 13 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 Yamagata 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
- Yamagata (山形市)
- Yonezawa (米沢市)
- Tsuruoka (鶴岡市)
- Sakata (酒田市)
- Shinjo (新庄市)
- Sagae (寒河江市)
- Kaminoyama (上山市)
- Murayama (村山市)
- Nagai (長井市)
- Tendo (天童市)
- Higashine (東根市)
- Obanazawa (尾花沢市)
- Nanyo (南陽市)
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.
Yamagata (山形市)
No pickup service · Drop-off ¥3,000 · Ash return available on request
- Pickup
- No (drop-off only)
- Drop-off
- ¥3,000
- Ash return
- Available on request (not possible for birds, etc. due to the nature of their bones)
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Yamagata (山形市)'s official pagecity.yamagata-yamagata.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Yonezawa (米沢市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return: call to confirm
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site
- Drop-off
- ¥2,000 (bring it wrapped in a blanket or in a cardboard box directly to Chiyoda Clean Center. Reception 9:00 am-noon, 1:00-4:00 pm; closed weekends and holidays)
- Ash return
- Not stated on the official site
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Yonezawa (米沢市)'s official pagecity.yonezawa.yamagata.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Tsuruoka (鶴岡市)
They can come collect it · Drop-off available · Ash return: call to confirm
- Pickup
- Free pickup only for remains found on public roads (contact the Environmental Policy Division or a regional branch office). Entry onto private land (such as an owner's home) for collection is, in principle, not allowed
- Drop-off
- ¥120 per 10kg (owner brings it directly to the waste incineration facility; cremated together with other waste)
- Ash return
- Not stated on the official site (no mention of returning ashes; residents wishing for memorial services are simply directed to consult a pet cemetery, etc.)
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Tsuruoka (鶴岡市)'s official pagecity.tsuruoka.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Sakata (酒田市)
They can come collect it · Drop-off available · Ashes not returned
- Pickup
- ¥2,420 (apply at Sakata City Environmental Sanitation Division. Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5:15 pm)
- Drop-off
- ¥2,200 (drop-off at the Sakata District Wide-Area Administrative Union. Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm)
- Ash return
- Not allowed (states clearly "Collecting ashes is not possible")
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Sakata (酒田市)'s official pagecity.sakata.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Shinjo (新庄市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return: call to confirm
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site
- Drop-off
- ¥10,000 (city residents) / ¥40,000 (non-residents) — cremation fee at "Shinjo-Mogami Sakuragaoka Saien"
- Ash return
- Not stated on the official site
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Shinjo (新庄市)'s official pagecity.shinjo.yamagata.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Sagae (寒河江市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return: call to confirm
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site
- Drop-off
- ¥500 per animal (bring directly in a cardboard box to Sagae City Clean Center)
- Ash return
- Not stated on the official site
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Sagae (寒河江市)'s official pagecity.sagae.yamagata.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Kaminoyama (上山市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return: call to confirm
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site
- Drop-off
- ¥3,000 per animal (no distinction by animal type. Drop-off at the Kaminoyama City Kawaguchi / Yamagata Wide-Area Environmental Affairs Union Energy Recovery Facility. Weekdays 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am-noon)
- Ash return
- Allowed (request at reception; you must bring your own urn or container — the facility does not provide one)
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Kaminoyama (上山市)'s official pagecity.kaminoyama.yamagata.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Murayama (村山市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return: call to confirm
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site
- Drop-off
- ¥2,000 per animal (drop-off at Clean Pia Kyoritsu; bring it in a bag plus a cardboard box)
- Ash return
- Not stated (no mention of return of ashes)
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Murayama (村山市)'s official pagecity.murayama.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Nagai (長井市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ashes not returned
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site
- Drop-off
- ¥2,000 per animal (drop-off at Nagai Clean Center. Large dogs exceeding standard cardboard box size go to Chiyoda Clean Center in Takahata Town)
- Ash return
- Not allowed ("Bone remains cannot be collected after cremation")
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Nagai (長井市)'s official pagecity.nagai.yamagata.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Tendo (天童市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ashes not returned
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site
- Drop-off
- ¥2,000 per animal (drop-off at Clean Pia Kyoritsu; weekdays 9:00 am-4:00 pm, 1st and 3rd Sat/Sun 9:00-11:30 am)
- Ash return
- Not allowed ("Ashes cannot be returned after cremation")
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Tendo (天童市)'s official pagecity.tendo.yamagata.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Higashine (東根市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ashes not returned
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site
- Drop-off
- ¥2,000 per animal (drop-off at Clean Pia Kyoritsu; weekdays 9:00 am-4:00 pm, 1st and 3rd Sat/Sun 9:00-11:30 am)
- Ash return
- Not allowed ("Please note that no ashes remain from your pet's cremation")
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Higashine (東根市)'s official pagecity.higashine.yamagata.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Obanazawa (尾花沢市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return: call to confirm
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site
- Drop-off
- ¥500 per animal (direct drop-off at the Obanazawa City-Oishida Town Environmental Sanitation Union's Environmental Sanitation Center)
- Ash return
- Not stated (no mention of return of ashes)
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Obanazawa (尾花沢市)'s official pagekankyo-e.net (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Nanyo (南陽市)
Pickup: call to confirm · Drop-off available · Ash return available on request
- Pickup
- Not stated on the official site (drop-off system; phone reservation required by 4pm the day before)
- Drop-off
- Drop-off allowed (animals under 25kg: residents ¥10,000, non-residents ¥20,000; 25kg or more: residents ¥15,000, non-residents ¥30,000. Nan'yo City Funeral Hall)
- Ash return
- Available on request (take-home possible, bring an urn. Interment at the memorial tower can also be chosen: residents ¥5,000, non-residents ¥10,000. Interment may not be possible during the snowy season, December-March)
- Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
- Open the official page below and call the office
- 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 Nanyo (南陽市)'s official pagecity.nanyo.yamagata.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)
Fees and conditions can change. Always confirm the latest details on the official page and with the office before you apply.
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.
If you live in a town or village not listed here
The list above covers Yamagata'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:
- The fee for pickup and for drop-off, separately
- Whether ashes are returned (most municipalities use communal cremation or burial, with no ash return)
- 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 Hokkaido & Tohoku region are laid out the same way.
Comparing by price or ash return
- Estimate the cost for your pet
- Municipal pickup services nationwide (browse by prefecture)
- Top 30 cheapest municipalities
- Municipalities that return ashes
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to have Yamagata cremate or pick up a pet?
Among the 7 municipalities where we could confirm a drop-off fee on the official page, the cheapest is Sagae (寒河江市) at ¥500, and the highest is Nanyo (南陽市) at ¥10,000 (as of August 2026). Pickup (having them come collect it) usually costs extra in most cities, so check each city's card above for details.
Do municipalities in Yamagata return the ashes?
In Yamagata, the municipalities where we could confirm an ash-return option on the official page are Yamagata (山形市), Nanyo (南陽市). 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.
If you spot an error in this content, please write to [email protected] — we'll check it and fix it promptly.