Urban cemeteries are undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from spaces solely dedicated to commemoration into multifunctional landscapes that address pressing urban challenges such as land scarcity, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability. In Tokyo, several metropolitan cemeteries have begun to function not only as places for mourning but also as public green spaces used for leisure activities such as walking, jogging, dog-walking, and seasonal flower viewing. These emerging uses reflect a broader trend of cemetery parkification, where traditional burial grounds are reimagined as part of the city's everyday landscape. Yet, this transition remains far from uncontested. Across many Asian cities, cemeteries continue to be perceived as sensitive heritage sites, shaped by public health concerns and deeply rooted cultural associations with death. This duality raises a critical question: how can cemeteries be sustainably integrated into the urban fabric while balancing their commemorative role with emerging social and environmental functions? This study examines the ongoing transformation of Tokyo Metropolitan Cemeteries, with a particular focus on prominent public cemeteries such as Yanaka Cemetery and Tama Cemetery, each known for their distinct landscape features and historical value. Tama Cemetery, as Japan's first park-style cemetery, represents a pioneering model of multifunctional design, while Yanaka Cemetery reflects the enduring ties between burial spaces and local communities in the traditional downtown districts of Tokyo. By exploring public perceptions, behavioral patterns, and the spatial functions of these cemeteries, the research highlights how multifunctionality is negotiated in practice and its broader implications for urban planning. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines an analysis of Google Maps reviews with survey data collected from commemorative visitors (CV, N=221), non-commemorative visitors (NCV, N=101), and non-visitors (NV, N=183). This methodological framework allows for a nuanced understanding of how cemeteries are utilized beyond their traditional memorial purposes. Findings from Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling indicate that cemeteries are increasingly valued for their aesthetic and environmental qualities (32.9%), seasonal landscapes (28.6%), and historical significance (13.9%), whereas mourning-related activities represent a relatively smaller proportion of use (12.6%). Sentiment analysis further reveals that public perceptions are predominantly positive (63%–78%), with negative sentiments (2%–9%) largely centered on concerns related to maintenance and visitor etiquette, rather than opposition to multifunctional use. Factor analysis of survey responses identifies three primary categories of cemetery-based activities: (1) social and interactive activities, (2) personal and leisure activities, and (3) functional use. The willingness to engage in functional activities is notably higher than for the other two categories, while social and interactive activities exhibit the lowest levels of acceptance. Additionally, CV and NCV express significantly greater willingness to engage in all three activity types compared to NV, with NCV showing a particularly strong preference for personal and leisure activities compared to CV. The study further highlights key factors shaping public willingness to utilize cemeteries beyond their commemorative function, including well-maintained landscapes, accessibility, and a tranquil atmosphere. Conversely, barriers to multifunctional use stem from cultural norms, social perceptions of inappropriateness, and concerns over the perceived sanctity of cemeteries. These findings underscore the evolving role of Tokyo's cemeteries as de facto green spaces, particularly in supporting personal and leisure activities, though psychological and cultural barriers persist, especially regarding social activities. Keywords: Cemetery transformation; Recreational purpose; Urban green space; Multifunctional use