Pet Cremation and Municipal Pickup in Shiga — 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 Shiga'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 Shiga 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.

Otsu (大津市)

They can come collect it · Drop-off available · Ash return available on request

Pickup
¥11,000-¥16,500 (varies by weight bracket; ashes cannot be collected)
Drop-off
¥4,400-¥15,400 (varies by weight bracket; choose whether ashes are returned)
Ash return
Pickup not available / drop-off cremation is an option
  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 Otsu (大津市)'s official pagecity.otsu.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to be there to say goodbye

Hikone (彦根市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (Hikone Cleaning Center collects animal remains from public roads only; private land is not covered)
Drop-off
Bring directly to the Hikone-Echi-Inukami Wide-Area Administrative Union's "Shiun-en" (place in a cardboard box, etc.). Fee by weight: under 2kg ¥5,000, 2-5kg ¥7,000, 5-15kg ¥13,000, 15kg or more ¥19,000
Ash return
States clearly "Animal remains accepted for use cannot be visited or returned" and "Cremation is communal, so ashes cannot be collected." (Ashes 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 Hikone (彦根市)'s official pagegenaiken-kouiki.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to be there to say goodbye

Nagahama (長浜市)

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 Nagahama (長浜市)'s official pagecity.nagahama.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Omihachiman (近江八幡市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (available to Omihachiman residents only, advance phone reservation required)
Drop-off
Drop off at "Sazanami Joen" (drop-off between 9:00–10:00; phone reservation required by the day before). Fee by weight: under 5kg ¥6,110, 5–under 15kg ¥10,180, 15kg and over ¥14,250. Dogs must be registered; no items may be placed with the body.
Ash return
States clearly "Witnessing the cremation and collecting ashes are not possible." (Ashes 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、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 Omihachiman (近江八幡市)'s official pagecity.omihachiman.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Kusatsu (草津市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
Under the "Kusatsu City Guidelines for Disposal of Deceased Small Animals," you submit a disposal application to the mayor, and after approval may bring the animal to a city-designated location. The fee is only defined as "an amount equivalent to the actual processing cost," with no specific figure 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 Kusatsu (草津市)'s official pageg-reiki.net(草津市例規集) (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Moriyama (守山市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (only a contact is given for remains found on roads)
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 Moriyama (守山市)'s official pagecity.moriyama.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Ritto (栗東市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (two methods: direct drop-off at city hall, or requesting pickup from a company)
Drop-off
Drop-off directly at city hall: ¥4,500 per animal. Requesting pickup by a contractor: carcass processing fee ¥4,500 + carcass collection fee ¥3,500 = total ¥8,000. Contractor pickup is weekdays only; direct drop-off is also available on weekends and holidays
Ash return
States clearly "Cremation is communal, so cremating a single animal alone or handing over ashes is not possible." (Ashes 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、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 Ritto (栗東市)'s official pagecity.ritto.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Koka (甲賀市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (no mention of household pickup)
Drop-off
Drop-off at Koka Wide-Area Administrative Union Sanitation Center, ¥1,000 per animal. Cremation at Koka Saien is ¥3,000 per animal.
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 Koka (甲賀市)'s official pagecity.koka.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Yasu (野洲市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
Cremation available at Yasugawa Saien. Fee information only directs you to call; no amount is 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 Yasu (野洲市)'s official pagecity.yasu.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Konan (湖南市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site
Drop-off
Communal cremation at Konan City Joen (under 20kg: residents ¥3,000 / non-residents ¥12,000; 20kg or more: residents ¥5,000 / non-residents ¥20,000); individual cremation (under 20kg: residents ¥15,000 / non-residents ¥60,000; 20kg or more: residents ¥25,000 / non-residents ¥100,000)
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 Konan (湖南市)'s official pagecity.shiga-konan.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Takashima (高島市)

No municipal pickup — you will need a private cremation service

Pickup
No program (no cremation facility in the city; only introduces private operators)
Drop-off
No program (same as above)
Ash return
Not stated on the official site
  1. Keep the body cool and settle it somewhere stable (how to)
  2. Find a private pet cremation service (cost guide)
  3. For dogs, file a death notification within 30 days (how to)

Open Takashima (高島市)'s official pagecity.takashima.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

Find a private cremation service

Higashiomi (東近江市)

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

Pickup
¥15,750 (¥36,750 for large dogs, etc.)
Drop-off
¥15,750 (¥36,750 for large dogs, etc.)
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 Higashiomi (東近江市)'s official pagecity.higashiomi.shiga.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Maibara (米原市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (states to contact Crystal Plaza)
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 Maibara (米原市)'s official pagecity.maibara.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. 5 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. In Shiga, 1 of the municipalities above have no pickup program at all for a pet you own. In this case too, a private 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 Shiga'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 Shiga 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 Koka (甲賀市) at ¥1,000, and the highest is Higashiomi (東近江市) at ¥15,750 (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 Shiga return the ashes?

In Shiga, the municipalities where we could confirm an ash-return option on the official page are Otsu (大津市), Hikone (彦根市). 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.

Are there municipalities with no pickup program at all?

In Shiga, Takashima (高島市) have no program for a pet you actually own. In this case, 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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