Pet Cremation and Municipal Pickup in Kumamoto — Fees and How to Apply, 14 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 Kumamoto's 14 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 Kumamoto 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.

Kumamoto (熊本市)

No pickup service · Drop-off: call to confirm · Ash return: call to confirm

Pickup
Free (roadside only; pets not covered)
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site
Ash return
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 Kumamoto (熊本市)'s official pagecity.kumamoto.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Yatsushiro (八代市)

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

Pickup
Can be put out at a burnable waste collection point (use a cardboard box, etc.; advance contact with the Environmental Center is recommended). Fee not stated on the official site.
Drop-off
Direct drop-off at the Environmental Center is allowed (advance contact recommended). Fee not stated on the official site.
Ash return
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 Yatsushiro (八代市)'s official pagecity.yatsushiro.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Hitoyoshi (人吉市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site
Ash return
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 Hitoyoshi (人吉市)'s official pagecity.hitoyoshi.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Arao (荒尾市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (the page mainly covers remains on roads. It only states to contact the Environmental Conservation Division for pickup, with no mention specific to owned pets or a fee)
Drop-off
Not verified
Ash return
Not verified
  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 Arao (荒尾市)'s official pagecity.arao.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Minamata (水俣市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site
Ash return
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 Minamata (水俣市)'s official pagecity.minamata.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Tamana (玉名市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site
Ash return
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 Tamana (玉名市)'s official pagecity.tamana.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Yamaga (山鹿市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (no mention of a pickup service)
Drop-off
Effectively free (if remains with no known owner are found on private land, the property owner/manager brings them directly to the Environmental Center, in a box no larger than 60x40x40cm. There is no city cremation facility for one's own pet; a private pet cemetery is recommended instead).
Ash return
No program (the city does not operate an animal cremation facility)
  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 Yamaga (山鹿市)'s official pagecity.yamaga.kumamoto.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Kikuchi (菊池市)

Fee not verified — call the office to confirm

Pickup
Not verified
Drop-off
Not verified
Ash return
Not verified
  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 Kikuchi (菊池市)'s official pagecity.kikuchi.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Uto (宇土市)

Fee not verified — call the office to confirm

Pickup
Not verified
Drop-off
Not verified
Ash return
Not verified
  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 Uto (宇土市)'s official pagecity.uto.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Kamiamakusa (上天草市)

Fee not verified — call the office to confirm

Pickup
Not verified
Drop-off
Not verified
Ash return
Not verified
  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 Kamiamakusa (上天草市)'s official pagecity.kamiamakusa.kumamoto.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Amakusa (天草市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (remains with no known owner can also be put out at a garbage collection point in a city-designated burnable garbage bag. If found on a public road, the responsible department will come collect it if contacted)
Drop-off
Paid (drop-off at the district Clean Center; specific amount not stated on the page)
Ash return
No program (owners wishing memorial services or a funeral for their pet are directed to a pet cemetery or other private operator in the city; no city cremation 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 Amakusa (天草市)'s official pagecity.amakusa.kumamoto.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Uki (宇城市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site
Ash return
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 Uki (宇城市)'s official pagecity.uki.kumamoto.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Aso (阿蘇市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site
Ash return
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 Aso (阿蘇市)'s official pagecity.aso.kumamoto.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Koshi (合志市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site
Ash return
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 Koshi (合志市)'s official pagecity.koshi.lg.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. 12 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 Kumamoto'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 Kyushu & Okinawa region are laid out the same way.

Comparing by price or ash return

Frequently asked questions

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

Most municipalities here don't publish a specific fee on their official page, so you'll need to call to ask. What to ask is listed on each city's card above.

Do municipalities in Kumamoto return the ashes?

Among the 14 municipalities in Kumamoto, none had a confirmed ash-return option on their official page (as of August 2026). Municipal pickup is communal cremation or burial as a rule. If you want 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.

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