検索ボックス

Church Spots in Japan

Area

  • Takahashi Christian Church
    rating-image
    3.5
    27 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Okayama Takahashi-shi Kakinokicho 26
    This church is a 15-minute walk from JR Takahashi station. Built in 1889, it is now the oldest church building in the prefecture, and is the second oldest protestant church in Japan after the chapel at Doshisha University. It stands out for its balcony and belfry on the roof, and is a designated prefectural historic site. It is free to enter, and you can tour any time between 9 am and 5 pm, except for Sunday mornings. Christian missionary work began in Takahashi in 1879, but took off in earnest in 1880, when construction began on this church. This was the congregation that nurtured Fukunishi Shigeko, who founded the prefecture's first women's college.

    高梁の市街地を武家屋敷が続く通りを南に向かうと、頼久寺を過ぎて間もなく、紺屋川がありました。その紺屋川沿いに、こちらの教会、高梁基督教会堂が建っていました。 このレトロでかわいい教会は、明治22年に建てられた岡山県最古の教会堂なんだそうです。キリスト教伝導の跡をたどることが出来るだけでなく、明治の洋風建築としても貴重な建物です。

  • Karuizawa Kogen Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagano Prefecture Kitasaku-gun Karuizawa Town Hoshino
    This church full of history and located in Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku County Nagano Prefecture began in 1921 as a small wooden building, and was the origin of the Free Education of Art Salon  movement that attracted cultured people such as Hakushu Kitahara and Toson Shimazaki. The building, which is enveloped in the nature of Karuizawa, is characteristic for its pointy triangular roof. As a church that is open to all people, it holds gospel worship every Sunday and events in accordance with the season. It is also popular as a place for resort weddings.
    Karuizawa Kogen Church image
  • Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Nikorai-do)
    Travel / Tourism
    Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Kanda Surugadai 4-1-3
    A Christian church located close to Shin-Ochanomizu Station in Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda City. The church's popular name, the Nikolai-do, is derived from St. Nicholas of Japan, who proselytized for the Orthodox church in Japan. Construction of the church was completed in 1891. The church was later restored after being damaged in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and in 1962 it was designated a National Important Cultural Property. The church permits visitors to view the interior outside of worship times as well (persons of junior high school age and older must pay a donation fee to view the church).
    Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Nikorai-do) image
  • Sakitsu Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Amakusa-shi Kawauramachi Sakitsu 539
    "A Gothic style church reconstructed in 1934. The composed and dignified building has a spire with a crucifix on top. The chapel's floor is covered with tatami mats, which is rare in Japan. The ""hidden Christians"" from the hamlet of Sakitsu on Yokaku Bay maintained their faith for nearly 240 years in the face of intense persecution that started with the complete ban of the religion in 1638. Also known as the ""Church of the Sea,"" the whole fishing port area where it stands was selected as an Important National Cultural Landscape in 2011."
    Sakitsu Church image
  • Our Lady of the Lighthouse Trappist Monastery
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Hokutoshi Mitsuishi 392
    This monastery in Hokuto, Hokkaido is one of Japan's first. Visitors are free to look around the red brick buildings of the monastery and enjoy the sakura, autumn leaves, and other joys of the seasons. There is also a shop offering Trappist Cookies, butter, and other products made by the monks. Due to a prohibition of women, internal tours require reservations and are for men only.
    Our Lady of the Lighthouse Trappist Monastery image
  • Oe Catholic Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Kumamoto Pref. Amakusashi Amakusamachioe 1782
    Approximately a five-minute walk from the Tenshudo Iriguchi bus stop, this church was the first built in Amakusa after the ban on Christianity was lifted. The current building was built in 1933 with the private funds of the French missionary Father Garnier who dedicated his life to spreading Christianity in Amakusa. A building with Romanesque architecture, the church with beautiful white walls is a symbol of Christianity in Amakusa to this day. There are statues of Father Garnier and the Virgin Mary on the premises. It is also known for being visited by five poets such as Yosano Tekkan.
    Oe Catholic Church image
  • Mizunoura Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Gotoushi Kishikumachikishiku 1644
    In the late Edo period, the Christians, who left the Omura Domain to live in hiding, ended up in places like Mizunoura and Himeshima. The history of Mizunoura Church began with five of these men and their wives and children. It was the one of the earliest Catholic churches to be built on the Goto islands, and the white wooden chapel is the largest, and most impressive.
  • Site of the Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan (Oura Cathedral)
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Minamiyamatemachi 5-3
    Japan’s oldest extant Christian structure, built in 1864. The church was built in dedication of 26 Japanese Christians who were executed in 1597 and faces Nishizaka, the area in Nagasaki where they were martyred. The location is also famous as the place where Hidden Christians professed their faith in 1865 while the religion was still banned in Japan. The church was designated a National Treasure in 1953. A five-minute walk from the O-Uratenshudoshita stop on the tramway.
    Site of the Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan (Oura Cathedral) image
  • St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Hiradoshi Kagamigawachou 269
    After the prohibition n Christianity was lifted, Christians came to live in Hirado. This church was built in 1931. In 1971, a statue of Saint Francis Xavier was erected in honor of the church’s 40th anniversary. Thereafter, the church came to be known as St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church. Now called Hirado Xavier Memorial Church, the emerald walls of the building create a beautiful sight.
    St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church image
  • Otome Toge Maria Seido
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Kanoashiguntsuwanochou Ushiroda Otometoge
    This is a small Christian church, built in the land of Christian martyrdom Otome Pass. In the first year of the Meiji era (1868) when Christianity was forbidden, 153 Christians from Nagasaki Urakami were imprisoned in Korin Temple at Otome Pass. Following cruel torturing to renounce their religion, 36 martyrs had emerged by 1870, and it is said that the Virgin Mary descended to give encouragement to her believers. The eight stained glass windows in the church show the state of martyrdom at the time. A special mass is held on May 3rd as part of the “Otome Pass Festival” to remember these martyrs.
    Otome Toge Maria Seido image
  • Egami Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Gotoushi Narumachiokushi 1131-2
    "A church located in Okushi, Naru-machi, Goto City. The church is included in the ""Egami Village on Naru Island UNESCO World Heritage listing, a part of the overarching ""Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region"" site. The church began operating in 1881; the current building was constructed in 1918 through the donation of funds gathered through dragnet fishing conducted by parishioners. Visitors who wish to view the church must make contact in advance."
    Egami Church image
  • Ono Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Shimoonomachi 2619
    "A church located in Shimoono-machi, Nagasaki City. The church is a part of the ""Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region"" World Heritage listing. The church was built by father Marc Marie de Rotz and 26 families in Ono Village believed to be descendants of the Koteda family, who fled Hirado Domain after being pressured to apostatize. The simple stone church resembles a family home. Visitors who wish to view the church must make contact in advance."
  • Former Gorin Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Gotoushi Warabichou 993-11
    "A church located on Hisaka Island in the Goto Islands in Warabi-cho, Goto City. The church is included in the ""Villages on Hisaka Island"" cultural property group, a part of the ""Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region"" World Heritage listing. The church was originally the Hamawaki Church, built in 1881, and was moved to this site in 1931. The church was almost demolished due to deterioration, but was saved thanks to the advice of a local Buddhist and today the structure is being preserved for future generations. Note that the area where the church is located cannot be reached directly by car. Visitors interested in viewing the church must make contact in advance."
    Former Gorin Church image
  • Himosashi Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Hiradoshi Himosashichou 1039
    This church is located in Himosashi-cho, Hirado City. A Catholic cathedral second in size only to the Urakami Cathedral in Motoo-machi, Nagasaki City, it was designed by Yosuke Tetsukawa and completed in 1929. Beautiful stained glass fills the Romanesque-style building.
    Himosashi Church image
  • Hoki Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Hiradoshi Houkichou 1170
    This church located in Hoki-cho, Hirado City was built in 1898. Built by carpenters for temple and shrine construction on Ukujima Island who had been baptized, it has various architectural features such as a structure combining wooden tile roofing with brick. It is a prefecturally-designated tangible cultural property for its valuable construction that shows the history of faith in the area and the history of church architecture that moved from wood to brick.
    Hoki Church image
  • Former Tainoura Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Minamimatsuragunshinkamigotouchou Tainouragou 326
    This church is located in Tainourago, Shinkamigoto Town, Minamimatsuura County. Originally built in 1880 by Father Bourelle, it was rebuilt in 1903. During the war, the navy seized the building, and it was added to after the war, using bricks from the former Urakami Cathedral that was bombed. A new church was built in 1979.
    Former Tainoura Church image
  • Kusuhara Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagasaki Pref. Gotoushi Kishikumachikusuhara
    A church located in Kusuhara, Kishiku-machi, Goto City. The church was designed by Yosuke Tetsukawa, known for his work on numerous churches in Nagasaki, and was completed in 1912. The brick church is designed in the Gothic style and is the second oldest church in lower Goto, the oldest being Dozaki Church.
    Kusuhara Church image
  • Hirosaki Anglican Ascension Church
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Hirosaki-shi Yamamichicho 7
    This church was built in 1921 by an American, J. M. Gardiner. It was made mostly of bricks piled up in the British style and hiba timber produced in Aomori Prefecture, and there is a bell tower at the very top. In addition, the organ is still famous even after 120 years have passed. It is designated as an important cultural property of the prefecture as a precious Western-style building.
    Hirosaki Anglican Ascension Church image
  • Hoshino Resort Tomamu Chapel on the Water
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Yufutsu-gun Shimukappumura Nakatomamu
    "This chapel is inside Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, in Shimukappu village, Yufutsu county, Hokkaido, and is based on the idea of coexistence with nature. The planning was done by architect Tadao Ando, with the idea of ""Using nature as-is, to create a sacred space through human intent."" This chapel offers a novel experience by removing any clear boundary between nature and structure. The building is approached on a path through a white birch forest lined with L-shaped concrete, marking the beginning of an extraordinary space. The water running over the altar creates a holy precinct into which no human may tread."
    Hoshino Resort Tomamu Chapel on the Water image
  • Kyoto Orthodox Church (Kyoto Cathedral of the Annunciation)
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku Yanagi Baba Tousu Nijo climb 6-283
    The Kyoto Eastern Orthodox Church is located in a quiet residential area coming out of Yanaginobanba-dori Street from Oike-dori Street. As the center for the propagation of the Greek Orthodox Church across western Japan it was completed in 1903 and as a genuine Russian / Byzantine construction church it is has been designated one of Kyoto’s Important Cultural Properties. The highlight is the cathedral’s iconostasis inlayed with 30 icons made in the era of the Russian Empire. However, to see it one must arrange in advance.
    Kyoto Orthodox Church (Kyoto Cathedral of the Annunciation) image
Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour Church Church

Search for Travel Information from Photographs

banner_photo

Search by Region

Browse Interests