Do People in the West Hold Doll Memorial Services?

In Japan, it is common to hold memorial services for dolls and stuffed animals
when they are no longer needed.
But does a similar custom exist in Western countries?

What Is a Doll Memorial Service in Japan?

In Japanese culture, it has long been believed that dolls may contain spirits
and that objects used for many years carry emotions and memories.

Because dolls resemble humans, many people feel uncomfortable simply throwing them away.
Instead, they express gratitude and say farewell through memorial services
held at shrines or temples.

This tradition is rooted in Japanese beliefs such as animism and the concept of
Tsukumogami, in which objects are thought to gain a spirit over time.

Do Western Countries Have Doll Memorial Services?

In short, no.
Western cultures generally do not have doll memorial services.

In Europe and North America, dolls are seen as objects or toys,
and they are not believed to possess spirits.

Unwanted dolls are usually:

• Donated to charities or thrift shops
• Recycled
• Disposed of as waste

This practical and rational approach reflects common Western attitudes toward belongings.

Emotional Closure Without Religious Rituals

Although there are no religious ceremonies,
some people still value emotional closure,
such as saying “thank you” before giving a doll away
or keeping photos as memories.

This is more about personal feelings and psychology
than religious belief.

Key Differences Between Japan and the West

Why Japan’s Doll Memorial Service Is Unique

Japan’s doll memorial services reflect a deep respect for objects
and a cultural desire to give meaning even to parting.

For many foreign visitors and residents,
this tradition is a fascinating and uniquely Japanese cultural practice.

Respectful Doll Memorial and Unwanted Item Collection by Nishida Service

If you feel uncomfortable throwing away dolls or meaningful belongings,
Nishida Service offers a respectful solution.

We provide professional doll memorial services in cooperation
with temples and shrines, along with reliable unwanted item collection
across Kanto(Tokyo Kanagawa).

English support is available, and we have extensive experience assisting
foreign residents and international clients.
Please feel free to contact Nishida Service for a thoughtful and culturally
respectful way to part with your belongings.

It contains bulky unwanted items that are difficult to move out, including industrial waste.

At Nishida Service, we carry out our work with the utmost care by:

Keeping noise to a minimum

Dismantling items that are difficult to carry

Taking great care to avoid any damage to the room

Performing light cleaning after the removal

Customer satisfaction is always our top priority.
Among waste removal companies, Nishida Service offers reliable service at a low cost.

Required staff: 2 workers
Estimated cost: Approximately ¥100,000
Required vehicles: Two 1-ton trucks

Basements are rare in Japanese houses. However, we recently handled a case where items had been crammed into the narrow crawl space beneath the floor. Of course, crawl spaces are not designed for storage. Once items are placed there, retrieving them becomes extremely difficult—the space is only about 50 cm high.

At Nishida Service, we also handle waste removal in hard-to-access and challenging locations like this. Please feel free to contact us for any concerns or questions. We look forward to being of service and helping you in any way we can.

🎴 Card Vending Machines in Akihabara
A Unique Otaku Experience for Trading Card Fans

Akihabara is famous worldwide as the heart of Japanese otaku culture—anime, games, figures, and electronics.
But for trading card fans, there is another fascinating attraction: card vending machines, often called “Oripa” machines.

These machines are a uniquely Japanese mix of trading cards and gacha (capsule toy) culture, and Akihabara is the best place to experience them.

🃏 What Is a Card Vending Machine (Oripa)?

“Oripa” stands for Original Pack.
Instead of buying a standard booster pack, you purchase a randomly prepared pack created by a card shop.

You don’t know what’s inside until you open it—
it could be a common card, or a high-value rare card.

This makes Oripa machines less about guaranteed value and more about fun, excitement, and luck.

📍 Where to Find Card Vending Machines in Akihabara

Card vending machines are scattered all around Akihabara, especially near Radio Kaikan, Chuo Street, and the Suehirocho area.

Popular Spots

Card Lab (カードラボ) – inside Radio Kaikan
A major trading card chain with many Oripa machines

Hobby Station Akihabara
Wide variety of card games, including anime-themed TCGs

Full Comp Akihabara
Popular among serious collectors

Card Rush
Different machines depending on the store location

Denko Sekka Akihabara
⭐ Famous for 24-hour card vending machines, perfect for late-night visitors

Card World TOWER AKIBA
A large card specialty store with vending machines

Most machines accept cash only, and instructions are usually in Japanese—but the process is very simple.

🎮 What Card Games Are Available?

You’ll often find Oripa machines for:

Pokémon Trading Card Game

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Duel Masters

Dragon Ball card games

Weiß Schwarz (anime & game crossover cards)

Digimon Card Game

Some machines are themed around one specific series, while others are mixed.

🌟 Why Foreign Visitors Love This Experience

🎰 Gacha-style excitement you won’t find overseas

🎁 A fun souvenir that’s small and easy to carry

🃏 A chance to get Japanese-exclusive cards

🌙 Some machines operate 24 hours, which is rare in other countries

Even if you don’t understand Japanese, the thrill of opening the pack is universal.

⚠️ Tips Before You Try

Results are completely random — treat it as entertainment, not investment

Look at the poster or display showing possible “winning cards”

Prices range widely (from a few hundred yen to several thousand yen)

Once purchased, returns are not possible

🎌 Final Thoughts

Card vending machines in Akihabara are more than just a way to buy cards—they’re a reflection of Japanese otaku culture, where collecting, luck, and fun come together.

If you’re visiting Akihabara and want a truly local experience,
try an Oripa card vending machine at least once.

You might walk away with an unforgettable memory—or an incredible card.

When replacing flooring, the materials are often heavy and generate a large amount of waste.
In Japan, where apartment buildings are common, flooring such as cushioned flooring and cushion panels—offering soundproofing benefits—is extremely popular and available in a wide variety. These materials can be easily installed through DIY projects.

However, this convenience often comes with a downside: disposing of large volumes of flooring waste can be quite a challenge.

In such cases, leave it to Nishida Service.
We provide prompt and affordable collection and disposal services!

← A very large fir tree that nearly reached the top of the truck
→ A fir tree from IKEA, typically displayed in an average Japanese household

This request came at the end of the holiday season.
It was a job involving the disposal of a large fir tree.

In recent years, selling smaller fir trees has become a seasonal tradition in Japan and Malaysia, and more households are choosing to decorate with real fir trees.
IKEA offers a take-back service if you bring the tree in yourself, and because these trees are relatively small, they are easy to transport.

However, when it comes to large, heavy fir trees with a solid base, such as specially ordered ones, please leave it to Nishida Service.

We will remove the tree quickly and neatly from your home or garden, so there’s no need to worry after your purchase.
Simply enjoy your beautiful holiday decorations with peace of mind!

Are you having trouble understanding Japan’s waste separation rules, and finding that burnable and non-burnable garbage have piled up together?

If so, leave it to Nishida Service.
No matter the condition of the waste, we will come to you promptly and collect it.

We can also collect kerosene, and we welcome inquiries about liquids labeled as hazardous materials.

In Japan, handling waste properly is especially important for maintaining good relationships with neighbors and the local community.
We provide support in English, so please feel free to contact us with any concerns or questions.

With our high level of service and affordable pricing, we are trusted by and popular with many international residents living in Japan.

Happy New Year.

We wish everyone a happy and fulfilling year ahead.

This year as well, Nishida Service will continue to work hard, focusing on large-scale and bulk item removal services.

We are committed to providing reliable and satisfying service for foreign residents living in Japan as well as visitors traveling to Japan.

Thank you very much for your continued support of Nishida Service this year.

Our New Year Visit Experience

We would like to share the Hatsumode experience of the Sales Director of Nishida Service.

He visited Mount Oyama on January 4th, and he did not find it very crowded.
From the cable car station to the summit, the trail was slightly steep and challenging.
However, it provided good exercise and was enjoyable.
The weather was clear and pleasant, and he said it was a meaningful and satisfying shrine visit.

Oyama in the Tanzawa Mountains

Mount Oyama, standing at 1,252 meters, is located in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
It lies on the eastern side of the Tanzawa mountain range.
For centuries, it has been known as a sacred mountain and an important place of worship.
Today, it is popular for hiking, sightseeing, and visiting shrines.
On clear days, visitors can enjoy views of Mount Fuji from the summit.

Oyama Afuri Shrine

Mount Oyama is home to Oyama Afuri Shrine, a historic Shinto shrine.
The shrine has been worshipped since ancient times, particularly for rain, agriculture,
and protection from natural disasters.

The shrine consists of two main areas:

• Lower Shrine, located near the cable car station
• Upper Shrine, located close to the summit of Mount Oyama

Many visitors come to the shrine for Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the New Year.

Hatsumode (New Year Shrine Visit)

During the New Year season, Oyama Afuri Shrine attracts a large number of visitors.
It is especially crowded from January 1st to January 3rd.
After January 4th, visitor numbers usually decrease, and the area becomes much calmer.

Access from Tokyo

By Car

From central Tokyo, take the Tomei Expressway and exit at Atsugi IC.
From there, drive toward the Oyama Cable Car area via Route 246 and local roads.

Travel time:
Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

By Train

Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station to Isehara Station.
From the north exit of Isehara Station, take a bus bound for Oyama Cable Car.
Get off at the “Oyama Cable” bus stop, then walk to the cable car station.

Travel time:
Train: about 1 hour
Bus: about 30 minutes
Total: about 1.5 to 2 hours

The Meoto Cedar Trees on Mount Oyama⇩

The Meoto Cedar Trees are a pair of large cedar trees located on Mount Oyama in Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

They stand side by side along the approach path leading to Oyama Afuri Shrine.

Because the two trees grow closely together, they are known as “Meoto,” meaning “married couple,” and are called the Meoto Cedar Trees.

Happy New Year!

Thank you very much for your continued support of Nishida Service. In 2026, our team remains committed to providing reliable and thoughtful service you can count on.
　
The start of a new year is a great time to refresh your living or working space. If you are thinking about decluttering, disposing of unwanted items, or would like to check whether certain items can be collected
, please feel free to contact us.
　
We are here to support your everyday life and help create a clean and comfortable environment throughout the year.
　
Our business operations will resume on Sunday, January 4th.

If you have any questions or would like a free quotation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Contact us by email for quotations or consultations
　
TEL: 0120-991-990