Japan Quests
Heritage
Churches in Japan — 75 historic churches, Nagasaki included
日本の教会
This page presents a collection of 75 historic churches in Japan, drawn from a Japan travel app. The collection focuses on churches in Japan with architectural significance and those connected to the country's hidden-Christian heritage, particularly in Nagasaki Prefecture. These sites are spread across 17 of Japan's 47 prefectures.
The list includes numerous churches from Nagasaki Prefecture, such as Saganoshima Church, Imochiura Church, and Urakami Cathedral, reflecting the region's unique Christian history. Beyond Nagasaki, the collection features landmarks like the Church of the Light in Osaka, the Church on the Water in Hokkaido, and the Tokyo Cathedral (St. Mary) in Tokyo.
Travellers can use this list to locate and learn about these historic religious sites. The collection provides a factual overview of significant Christian architectural and historical locations across the Japanese archipelago.
Hokkaido 北海道
Church on the Water
水の教会Tadao Andō’s serene chapel in Hokkaidō features a free-standing cross reflected in a tranquil pond.
Hakodate Orthodox Church
函館ハリストス正教会Hakodate's Russian Orthodox church, with its green onion domes, rings bells over the port.
Motomachi Catholic Church
カトリック元町教会This Gothic Catholic church stands majestically on Hakodate's historic Motomachi slope, a beacon of faith.
Hakodate St. John's Church
函館聖ヨハネ教会This modern, cross-shaped Anglican church in Hakodate offers stunning views.
Aomori 青森
Hirosaki Ascension Church
日本聖公会弘前昇天教会教会堂This Anglican Gothic-revival church graces the historic castle town of Hirosaki.
Yamagata 山形
Tsuruoka Catholic Church
鶴岡カトリック教会天主堂In snowy northern Japan, this white church, built by a French priest, houses a rare Black Madonna.
Tochigi 栃木
Matsugamine Church
松が峰教会Matsugamine Church is a twin-towered Romanesque Catholic church carved from local Ōya stone.
Nikkō Shinkō Church
日光真光教会礼拝堂Nestled in Nikkō, this Anglican church offers a tranquil space for reflection amidst nature's beauty.
Tokyo 東京
Tokyo Cathedral (St. Mary)
東京カテドラル聖マリア大聖堂Kenzō Tange's soaring stainless-steel Tokyo Cathedral is a modernist landmark.
Nikolai-dō (Holy Resurrection Cathedral)
ニコライ堂Tokyo's Byzantine Orthodox cathedral, Nikolai-dō, features a striking green dome nestled within the bustling city.
Himonya Church (Salesio)
カトリック碑文谷教会Himonya Church, a grand Catholic edifice, features Italian marble columns and one of Japan's largest frescoes.
Tsukiji Catholic Church
築地教会Amidst Tokyo's historic charm, this Catholic church uniquely marries Greek temple architecture with its sacred purpose.
Kanda Catholic Church
神田教会Kanda Catholic Church stands as a domed, Renaissance-style sanctuary in the heart of Tokyo.
Kanagawa 神奈川
Yamate Catholic Church
カトリック山手教会This Gothic Catholic church stands majestically on a Yokohama hillside, a legacy of the city's foreign quarter.
Yokohama Christ Church
横浜山手聖公会Yokohama Christ Church is a beautiful Anglican church, central to Yokohama's historic foreign settlement.
Yokohama Kaigan Church
横浜海岸教会Japan's first Protestant church, Yokohama Kaigan Church emerged from the foreign settlement.
Nagano 長野
Stone Church (Uchimura Kanzō Memorial)
石の教会・内村鑑三記念堂This organic chapel of stone arches and glass seamlessly blends into the serene Karuizawa woods.
Karuizawa St. Paul Catholic Church
軽井沢聖パウロカトリック教会Antonin Raymond's iconic steep-roofed wooden church is a beloved symbol of the Karuizawa resort.
Shaw Memorial Chapel
軽井沢ショー記念礼拝堂Karuizawa's oldest church, this log chapel was built by the missionary who founded the mountain resort.
Aichi 愛知
Toyohashi Orthodox Church
豊橋ハリストス正教会This rare early wooden Orthodox church in Chūbu, Japan, is beautifully crowned with a distinctive blue dome.
Nagoya Cathedral
名古屋カテドラル聖ペトロ・聖パウロ大聖堂Nagoya Cathedral is a striking Gothic Revival brick church, a testament to Catholic faith in Chūbu.
Kyoto 京都
Miyazu Catholic Church
カトリック宮津教会One of Japan's oldest churches, Miyazu Catholic Church uniquely invites worshippers to kneel on traditional tatami mats.
Osaka 大阪
Church of the Light
茨木春日丘教会Tadao Andō’s striking concrete chapel, where a luminous cross pierces the wall, creating a profound spiritual space.
Kawaguchi Christ Church
川口基督教会This red-brick Gothic Anglican church stands as a historic landmark in old Osaka.
Osaka Cathedral (St. Mary)
大阪カテドラル聖マリア大聖堂Osaka's Catholic cathedral, St. Mary, captivates with its grand stained glass and magnificent murals.
Hyogo 兵庫
Church of the Wind
風の教会Tadao Andō’s minimalist concrete chapel, Church of the Wind, offers quiet contemplation on Mount Rokkō above Kobe.
Takatori Church (Paper Church)
カトリックたかとり教会Takatori Church, the 'Paper Church,' rose from the rubble of the Kobe earthquake as a symbol of resilience and recovery.
Shimane 島根
Otome-tōge Maria Chapel
乙女峠マリア聖堂At Otome-tōge, this petite chapel commemorates the martyrdom of Tsuwano's hidden Christians.
Hiroshima 広島
World Peace Memorial Cathedral
世界平和記念聖堂In Hiroshima, Murano Tōgo's monumental concrete cathedral stands as a powerful prayer for world peace.
Yamaguchi 山口
Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Cathedral
山口サビエル記念聖堂This modern twin-spired Catholic cathedral in Yamaguchi honors Saint Francis Xavier, who once preached in the city.
Fukuoka 福岡
Imamura Church
今村教会Imamura Church, a rural Fukuoka Catholic church, boasts twin Romanesque brick towers by carpenter Tetsukawa Yosuke.
Nagasaki 長崎
Saganoshima Church
嵯峨ノ島教会Perched on a remote island, this Catholic church is a beacon of faith in the Gotō archipelago.
Imochiura Church
カトリック井持浦教会Japan's first Lourdes Grotto graces this serene Catholic church, a quiet pilgrimage site on Fukue Island.
Kusuhara Church
楠原教会On the remote Gotō Islands, Kusuhara Church stands as a serene beacon of faith amidst natural beauty.
Mizunoura Church
水ノ浦教会Mizunoura Church, a photogenic white Catholic church overlooking a cove on Fukue Island, is a well-known film location.
Miyahara Church
宮原教会Miyahara Church, a Catholic beacon in the remote Gotō Islands, offers solace amid stunning natural beauty.
Dōzaki Church
堂崎天主堂The Gotō Islands' first church, this brick Catholic structure now thoughtfully preserves hidden Christian history.
Rōyanosako Martyrs Memorial Church
牢屋の窄殉教記念聖堂A Catholic church on the Gotō Islands, Rōyanosako Martyrs Memorial honors the hidden Christians' enduring faith.
Old Gorin Church
旧五輪教会堂On Hisaka Island, this simple wooden chapel, accessible by foot or boat, is a UNESCO Hidden Christian site.
Egami Church
江上天主堂A masterpiece of carpentry, this pale-blue wooden Catholic church on Naru Island is a UNESCO site nestled in a forest.
Hamakushi Church
浜串教会On a remote Gotō island, this church stands as a testament to enduring faith.
Aosagaura Church
青砂ヶ浦天主堂On the Gotō coast stands this brick Catholic church, featuring a unique bat-ceiling vault by Tetsukawa Yosuke.
Maruo Church
カトリック丸尾教会A tranquil Catholic church on the remote Gotō Islands, reflecting enduring faith amidst island serenity.
Ōmizu Church
大水教会Perched on the remote Gotō Islands, Ōmizu Church offers a serene sanctuary for the island's Catholic community.
Ebukuro Church
江袋教会Ebukuro Church, a Catholic beacon in the Gotō Islands, embodies enduring faith amidst scenic island beauty.
Old Nokubi Church
旧野首教会On Nozaki Island, this lonely brick church stands as a testament to the faith of its early, poor Catholic settlers.
Kashiragashima Church
頭ケ島天主堂On a remote island, villagers hand-built this rare stone Catholic church, a UNESCO hidden-Christian site.
Yamada Church
カトリック山田教会Yamada Church, nestled in the Hirado/Ikitsuki area, stands as a testament to enduring Catholic faith.
Himosashi Church
紐差教会Himosashi Church, a vast Romanesque Catholic church by Tetsukawa Yosuke, stands majestically on the Hirado plateau.
Hōki Church
宝亀教会Hōki Church, a striking red-and-white Catholic church, stands as an early testament to faith on the Hirado coast.
Kuroshima Church
黒島天主堂Kuroshima Church, a Romanesque brick masterpiece, crowns this small Catholic island, a UNESCO Hidden Christian site.
Hirado Xavier Memorial Church
平戸ザビエル記念教会Green-spired on a Hirado hilltop, this Catholic church offers a unique view alongside Buddhist temples.
Tabira Church
田平天主堂Tabira Church, a brick masterpiece, stands as the crowning achievement of self-taught carpenter Tetsukawa Yosuke.
Ōsaki Church
大崎カトリック教会Clinging to the rugged Sotome coast, this Catholic church stands as a testament to enduring faith.
Ōno Church
大野教会堂On the rugged Sotome coast, this tiny stone church served a hidden-Christian hamlet and is a UNESCO site.
Shitsu Church
出津教会堂On the windswept Sotome coast, this low white Catholic church, built to resist the sea, is a UNESCO hidden-Christian site.
Kurosaki Church
カトリック黒崎教会Kurosaki, a red-brick Catholic church on the rugged Sotome coast, is famously associated with Endō Shūsaku's novel 'Silence'.
Takashima Church
カトリック高島教会On a remote island, this modest Catholic church stands as a testament to enduring faith and community spirit.
Daimyōji Church
カトリック大明寺教会In a peaceful setting, Daimyōji Church offers a serene space for reflection and a testament to enduring faith.
Magome Church
カトリック馬込教会Amidst Nagasaki's hills, this Catholic church stands as a testament to enduring faith.
Haiki Church
カトリック早岐教会Haiki Church, a serene Catholic sanctuary in Nagasaki, offers a quiet space for worship and reflection amidst its local community.
Zenchōdani Church
カトリック善長谷教会Nestled in a serene valley, Zenchōdani Church offers a tranquil retreat for Catholic worship.
Kōnoshima Church
神ノ島教会This seaside Catholic church, near Nagasaki, features a Marian statue serenely overlooking the bay.
Nameshi Church
カトリック滑石教会Nameshi Church, a beacon of faith in Nagasaki, offers a serene space for worship and community.
Nishimachi Church
カトリック西町教会Amidst Nagasaki's hills, this Catholic church stands as a testament to enduring faith.
Inasa Church
カトリック稲佐教会Inasa Church stands as a beacon of faith, its serene presence gracing Nagasaki's historic landscape.
Urakami Cathedral
浦上天主堂Urakami Cathedral, once a grand brick edifice, was rebuilt as a symbol of Nagasaki's resilience after atomic destruction.
Ōura Cathedral
大浦天主堂Japan's oldest standing church, this Gothic National Treasure marks the dramatic rediscovery of Nagasaki's hidden Christians.
Ōura Catholic Church
カトリック大浦教会Nagasaki's Ōura Church is a serene Catholic landmark, offering solace and a glimpse into the city's enduring faith.
Santo Domingo Church Ruins
サント・ドミンゴ教会Explore the evocative ruins of Santo Domingo Church, a poignant reminder of Nagasaki's enduring Christian heritage.
Hongōchi Church
カトリック本河内教会Nestled in Nagasaki, Hongōchi Church offers a tranquil space for Catholic worship and community.
Unzen Church
カトリック雲仙教会Nestled on the scenic Shimabara Peninsula, this Catholic church is a testament to enduring faith.
Shimabara Catholic Church
カトリック島原教会Rising on the Shimabara Peninsula, this Catholic church is a beacon of enduring faith in a land of hidden Christian heritage.
Kumamoto 熊本
Sakitsu Church
崎津教会This Gothic church, a UNESCO site, stands on a fishing harbor where hidden Christians once worshipped on tatami mats.
Ōe Church
大江教会Crowning a green hill in rural Amakusa, Ōe Church is a beautiful white Romanesque Catholic church.
Photo credits
- Saganoshima Church — kiyoojapan — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Imochiura Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Kusuhara Church — Sapphire123 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Mizunoura Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Miyahara Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Dōzaki Church — Sapphire123 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Rōyanosako Martyrs Memorial Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Old Gorin Church — Marine-Blue — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Egami Church — Indiana jo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Hamakushi Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Aosagaura Church — Sapphire123 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Maruo Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Ōmizu Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Ebukuro Church — elf4 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Old Nokubi Church — ぱちょぴ（投稿者）撮影 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Kashiragashima Church — けんみんたろう — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Yamada Church — STA3816 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Himosashi Church — Sapphire123 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Hōki Church — Sapphire123 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Kuroshima Church — Marine-Blue — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Hirado Xavier Memorial Church — Totti — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Tabira Church — STA3816 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Ōsaki Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Ōno Church — Sapphire123 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Shitsu Church — ぱちょぴ（投稿者）撮影 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Kurosaki Church — STA3816 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Takashima Church — Gohachiyasu1214 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Daimyōji Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Magome Church — STA3816 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Haiki Church — そらみみ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Zenchōdani Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Kōnoshima Church — Marine-Blue — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Nameshi Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Nishimachi Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Inasa Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Urakami Cathedral — 663highland — CC BY 2.5 · source
- Ōura Cathedral — Houjyou-Minori — CC0 · source
- Ōura Catholic Church — ©Nagasaki Prefecture — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Santo Domingo Church Ruins — DoctorDoughnut — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Hongōchi Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Unzen Church — THE-ICER — CC0 · source
- Shimabara Catholic Church — そらみみ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Church of the Light — The original uploader was Bujatt at English Wikipedia. — CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
- Church on the Water — 準建築人手札網站 Forgemind ArchiMedia — CC BY 2.0 · source
- Church of the Wind — 663highland — CC BY 2.5 · source
- Tokyo Cathedral (St. Mary) — Kakidai — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- World Peace Memorial Cathedral — Taisyo — CC BY 3.0 · source
- Stone Church (Uchimura Kanzō Memorial) — 663highland at Japanese Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Takatori Church (Paper Church) — Bujdosó Attila — CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
- Karuizawa St. Paul Catholic Church — 663highland — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Hakodate Orthodox Church — 663highland — CC BY 2.5 · source
- Nikolai-dō (Holy Resurrection Cathedral) — DXR — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Toyohashi Orthodox Church — Lombroso — Public domain · source
- Imamura Church — sk01 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Tsuruoka Catholic Church — Ippukucho — CC BY 3.0 · source
- Hirosaki Ascension Church — yisris — CC BY 2.0 · source
- Matsugamine Church — Asanagi — CC0 · source
- Nikkō Shinkō Church — Saigen Jiro — CC0 · source
- Yamate Catholic Church — Kakidai — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Yokohama Christ Church — Yoshi Canopus — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Yokohama Kaigan Church — 経済特区 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Miyazu Catholic Church — 漱石の猫 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Kawaguchi Christ Church — ignis — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Otome-tōge Maria Chapel — そらみみ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Cathedral — Wiki708 at Japanese Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Nagoya Cathedral — LMP 2001 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Osaka Cathedral (St. Mary) — 663highland — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Himonya Church (Salesio) — User:Kentin — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Tsukiji Catholic Church — 三人日 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Shaw Memorial Chapel — 姒姓賢寧 — CC BY 4.0 · source
- Kanda Catholic Church — Dddeco — CC BY 2.5 · source
- Motomachi Catholic Church — 663highland — CC BY 2.5 · source
- Hakodate St. John's Church — 掬茶 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Sakitsu Church — STA3816 — CC BY 3.0 · source
- Ōe Church — 米田賢一 — CC BY 3.0 · source
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