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

Utsunomiya (宇都宮市)

Pickup ¥1,100 · Drop-off ¥530 · Ash return: call to confirm

Pickup
¥1,100
Drop-off
¥530
Ash return
Not stated on the official site (only a collection fee page, with no mention of the cremation method or return of ashes)
  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 Utsunomiya (宇都宮市)'s official pagecity.utsunomiya.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Ashikaga (足利市)

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

Pickup
Paid (¥1,460; the Road and River Conservation Division collects pet remains)
Drop-off
Not verified
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 Ashikaga (足利市)'s official pagecity.ashikaga.tochigi.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Tochigi (栃木市)

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

Pickup
Dog/cat remains disposal fee ¥1,100 (stated in the fee revision notice; the notice does not distinguish between pickup and drop-off)
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site (unclear whether the fee above applies to drop-off as well)
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 Tochigi (栃木市)'s official pagecity.tochigi.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Sano (佐野市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (no mention of on-site pickup)
Drop-off
Can be brought in a cardboard box or similar to Mikamo Clean Center or Kuzuu Cleaning Center (no fee stated)
Ash return
Not allowed (states clearly "The pet's ashes will not be returned"; those wanting memorial services are referred to a pet-specialty cemetery)
  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.

Open Sano (佐野市)'s official pagecity.sano.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Kanuma (鹿沼市)

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

Pickup
Paid, ¥1,400 per animal. Contact the Environmental Clean Center by phone for a home pickup
Drop-off
Free. Self-drop-off at the Environmental Clean Center (weekdays 8:30-11:50, 13:00-16:20).
Ash return
Not allowed (ashes cannot be 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 Kanuma (鹿沼市)'s official pagecity.kanuma.tochigi.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Nikko (日光市)

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

Pickup
No program (the city collects only remains found on roads; owned pets are 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 Nikko (日光市)'s official pagecity.nikko.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Oyama (小山市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (no mention of a pickup service)
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site (the garbage sorting chart classifies "animal remains/animal carcasses" as "non-recyclable burnable garbage," up to 30kg maximum, but does not state a drop-off location or fee)
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 Oyama (小山市)'s official pagecity.oyama.tochigi.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Moka (真岡市)

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 Moka (真岡市)'s official pagecity.moka.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Otawara (大田原市)

Pickup: call to confirm · No drop-off · Ash return: call to confirm

Pickup
Not verified
Drop-off
No program (Otawara City crematorium is for human remains only; animal remains are also not listed among items accepted at the Otawara Wide-Area Clean Center)
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 Otawara (大田原市)'s official pagecity.ohtawara.tochigi.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Yaita (矢板市)

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

Pickup
Paid. City staff visit your home on weekdays for pickup, ¥1,080 per animal (advance contact required)
Drop-off
Self-transport in a plastic bag (double-bagging recommended) to Eco Park Shioya. No fee stated.
Ash return
With regular collection, ashes are never returned. For cremation, a separate reservation at Shioya Seien is required; cremation fee ¥10,000 per animal (¥40,000 for those outside the Shioya wide area).
  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 Yaita (矢板市)'s official pagecity.yaita.tochigi.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to be there to say goodbye

Nasushiobara (那須塩原市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (there is guidance on where to have dog/cat remains on city roads collected, but no mention of at-home collection of an owner's pet)
Drop-off
Not stated on the official site (the Nasushiobara Clean Center's list of non-acceptable items only specifies "large animal remains"; no statement on whether small pets can be dropped off, or the fee)
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 Nasushiobara (那須塩原市)'s official pagecity.nasushiobara.tochigi.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Sakura (さくら市)

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

Pickup
No program (the city does not collect remains on private land; the owner or landowner handles disposal. The city collects only remains in public places such as 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 Sakura (さくら市)'s official pagecity.tochigi-sakura.lg.jp (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Nasukarasuyama (那須烏山市)

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 Nasukarasuyama (那須烏山市)'s official page- (in Japanese, checked July–August 2026)

If you want to keep the ashes

Shimotsuke (下野市)

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

Pickup
Not stated on the official site (there is a "When your pet dies" page, but it covers only dog registration cancellation procedures; no mention of a pickup service or fees)
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 Shimotsuke (下野市)'s official pagecity.shimotsuke.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. 10 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 Tochigi'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 Kanto region are laid out the same way.

Comparing by price or ash return

Frequently asked questions

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

The only drop-off fee we could confirm on an official page is Utsunomiya (宇都宮市) at ¥530 (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 Tochigi return the ashes?

In Tochigi, the municipalities where we could confirm an ash-return option on the official page are Yaita (矢板市). 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 teisei@sonae-shippo.com — we'll check it and fix it promptly.