Church Architecture in Japan

Church architecture in Japan has a long and varied history, reflecting the country’s complex relationship with Christianity.

The first Christian missionaries arrived in Japan in the 16th century, and many churches were built in the following centuries. These early churches were often designed in a European style, with Gothic or Baroque architecture.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a revival of interest in traditional Japanese architecture, and many churches were built in a Japanese style, incorporating elements such as sliding doors, tatami mats, and thatched roofs.

Today, church architecture in Japan is a mix of both traditional and modern styles. Some churches are designed to blend in with their surroundings, while others are more distinctive and stand out as architectural landmarks.

Overall, the design of churches in Japan reflects the country’s unique blend of cultural influences and its ongoing relationship with Christianity.

Our favorite Churches to pay a visit in Japan

• Chapel on the water (Tadao Ando) 1988 – Hokkaido : A privately owned wedding chapel in Tomamu.
• St. Mary’s Cathedral (Kenzo Tange) 1964 – Tokyo : The seat of Tokyo’s Roman Catholic Archdiocese.
• Assumption of Mary Cathedral (Togo Murano) 1954 – Hiroshima : Also known as Memorial Cathedral for World Peace.
• Ribbon Chapel (Hiroshi Nakamura) 2013 – Hiroshima : A literal and metaphorical embodiment of the union of marriage.
• Oura Church (Louis Theodore Furet and Bernard Thadee Petitjean) 1864 – Nagasaki : Japan’s oldest church and national treasure.
• Niijima Gakuen Junior College Hall & Chapel (Tezuka Architects) 2020 – Gunma (cover photo): A chapel difficult to visit, covered with transparent carvings.