Lochie Jones Japan Cemetery Grave Incident: What Really Happened
When we travel, we step into worlds shaped by traditions, history, and deep cultural meaning. That’s why what happened recently in Japan has struck such a nerve among Japanese locals and outsiders alike. An Australian influencer who goes by the name Lochie Jones filmed himself drinking a can of beer that had been placed on a gravestone as an offering. He then posted it online, thinking it was good content. But what followed was massive outrage and condemnation. Actually it was so bad that even the Australian Embassy in Japan was forced to release an official response.
What Happened
Jones was visiting a cemetery near the Aokigahara Forest at the base of Mount Fuji. In his video, he flipped a coin to decide whether to drink the beer left at a grave or not. After flipping the coin, he went ahead, opened the can of beer and proceeded to drink all of its content. To make matters worse, he belched into the camera after consuming all the content of the can of beer.
As if that wasn’t enough, he also filmed himself disrespectfully swinging a wooden grave marker. This is an object carrying Buddhist inscriptions or the posthumous name of the deceased.
In Japan, cemeteries are sacred spaces. Families often leave offerings like beer, sake, or food on graves to honor loved ones. To consume or tamper with these items is nothing short of extreme disrespect.
@mustsharenews The Australian embassy in Japan urged travellers to behave appropriately following the tourist’s disrespectful stunt. #mustsharenews #sgfyp #japan
Global Reactions
Unsurprisingly, the backlash that followed was swift. Japanese viewers, international travelers, and even fellow Australians called his actions “disgusting” and “depraved”. Many demanded he face legal consequences or be banned from ever entering Japan again.
The Australian Embassy in Japan also issued a warning, reminding travelers to respect local customs and laws. They urged Australians to behave appropriately abroad, especially in places like Japan where cultural traditions are taken seriously.
At its core, this is about cultural insensitivity. In Japan, the act of placing offerings at graves is a gesture of love, remembrance, and respect. By drinking that beer, Jones essentially both stole and trampled upon on a tradition that families hold sacred.
Jones’ Apology (and Why It Fell Flat)
After the storm hit, Jones realized the only way to get out of the mess he had created was by apologizing for his actions. So he went ahead and swiftly released an apology video. In the video, he said, “If you felt I desecrated your dead, I am sorry. It was a mistake”.
But many viewers felt the apology lacked sincerity. Critics pointed out that instead of taking full responsibility, he shifted the blame back to how people “felt”. To make matters worse, he later followed up with more controversial comments that undermined his apology.
Who Is Lochie Jones?
Lochie Jones is an Australian content creator and influencer who has been making waves online for all the wrong reasons. Based on his social media accounts, he’s someone who brands himself as a chaotic adventurer chasing “wild experiences” and “money moves”.
On his TikTok account (@lochie__jones), where he currently has just a handful of followers left, his bio reads:
“Chaos, Unorthodox To Mess With A Proxy. Money Moves And Wild Experiences.”
The videos there include clips of his travels and rants, but since his controversial Japan cemetery stunt, the account appears to have lost most of its audience. From thousands of views before, he’s now sitting at 4 followers and 17 likes as of the writing of this post.
Over on Instagram (@lochie_jones), he paints a slightly different picture. With around 1,475 followers and nearly as many accounts he follows, his bio emphasizes being “original, unorthodox and highly effective”. He calls himself a “creator” and even a “reality warper”. His posts range from travel snapshots to commentary on international topics. Highlights on his profile include themes like “Investment” and “Animals”, which gives one the idea that he experiments with different niches beyond just travel.
My Personal Advice to Travelers
As someone who’s been fortunate enough to travel across dozens of countries, I can tell you that respect goes further than any stamp in your passport. Japan is a country where order, tradition, and subtlety are part of daily life. That’s exactly why incidents like this cut so deep. In addition to embarrassing the person who did it, they also reflect negatively on all of us as visitors.
I’ve seen firsthand how tourism can bring out the best and worst in people. Too often, travelers get caught up chasing likes and views instead of slowing down to appreciate the culture in front of them. But for me personally, the most memorable moments I’ve had abroad weren’t because I did something outrageous for a camera. These amazing moments came from connecting with locals and respectfully observing their traditions.
When you land in another country, you’re not just a tourist, you’re a guest. And being a guest means honoring the customs, no matter how different they may seem. The temples, the graves, the rituals you see when you travel all mean something real to the people who live there. Treating them carelessly is the fastest way to ruin not only your own trip but also how others will view travelers after you.
At the end of the day, I always say that travel is about exchange. What you do when you travel is that you carry a little piece of their culture back with you, and hopefully leave behind a little kindness in return.
