Despite Japan being geographically distant from the traditional hubs of Abrahamic religions, Tokyo boasts an array of captivating historical churches and a mosque.
Among these sites are notable landmarks such as the Tokyo Mosque, a symbol of Islamic presence, and the Tokyo Japan Temple, a significant place for the Latter-day Saints community.
The Holy Resurrection Cathedral stands as a testament to the Japanese Orthodox Church’s legacy, while the Cathedral of St. Joseph holds the honor of being Tokyo’s first Catholic church.
St. Mary’s Cathedral, with its modern architectural allure, adds another layer to Tokyo’s religious diversity. Lastly, the Catholic Kanda Church, intertwined with the city’s history, showcases the enduring presence of Christianity.
This exploration of Tokyo’s historical churches and mosque offers insights into the city’s spiritual heritage and architectural prowess. For those interested in exploring further historic religious sites in Tokyo, I also have dedicated articles about the captivating Shinto Shrines and serene Buddhist temples that grace the city.
The Tokyo Mosque
Tokyo Mosque, also known as Tokyo Camii, stands in the Ōyama-chō district of Shibuya ward. As the largest mosque in Japan, it holds cultural significance and architectural charm.
Originally constructed in 1938, the mosque’s present structure, inspired by Ottoman architecture, was completed in 2000. Designed by Hilmi Şenalp, it was rebuilt under the guidance of Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs after the original had to be demolished in 1986 due to structural damage.
Measuring 734 square meters, the mosque encompasses a basement floor and three above-ground levels with a total floor area of 1,477 square meters. Its iconic main dome soars 23.25 meters high, supported by six pillars. Adjacent to it, a 41.48-meter tall minaret stands.
The mosque’s interiors and exteriors are adorned with the sacred colors of white and turquoise, echoing Ottoman architecture’s reverence for these hues. The white marble mihrab and minbar signify purity and divine light, while intricate gold detailing enhances their prominence.
Tokyo Mosque’s striking resemblance to the Blue Mosque highlights its Ottoman architectural style. The interplay of natural and artificial light through windows and chandeliers accentuates the color palette. These design elements create a profound impact on viewers, reflecting the mosque’s harmonious blend of culture, history, and architecture.
The Tokyo Japan Temple
The Tokyo Japan Temple, the 20th constructed and 18th operating temple of the LDS Church, stands as a significant religious and architectural landmark in Minato, Tokyo. Built on less than half an acre, the temple’s compact style, dedication in 1980, and unique design elements make it a pioneering structure in Asia.
The temple’s history began in 1975 when the LDS Church announced its intent to build a temple in Tokyo. The current building stands on the former site of a mission home, requiring its demolition to proceed with construction.
Its compact layout includes a basement parking garage and an upper-floor apartment for the temple president. The temple boasts two ordinance rooms, five sealing rooms, and a total area of 52,590 square feet.
Characterized by reinforced concrete and stone panels, the temple’s exterior showcases an elegant light gray granite appearance. A public open house in 1980 preceded the dedication led by church president Spencer W. Kimball. The temple’s height reaches 70.5 feet, with an additional spire height of 91.2 feet crowned by a gilded angel Moroni statue.
The temple’s landscape integrates indigenous plants, while its interiors feature art glass windows inspired by traditional Japanese motifs. From its design rooted in Japanese lantern aesthetics to its intricate lighting and ornate interior progression, the Tokyo Japan Temple marries religious devotion with architectural innovation.
The Holy Resurrection Cathedral
The Holy Resurrection Cathedral, also known as Nikorai-do, situated in Chiyoda, Tokyo, serves as the principal cathedral of the Japanese Orthodox Church. Founded by Ivan Dmitrievich Kasatkin (1836–1912), later recognized as St. Nicholas of Japan, the cathedral bears historical significance in fostering Japanese-Russian relations during the Meiji period.
Perched on a hill at Kanda Surugadai, overlooking the Imperial Palace, the cathedral’s location was carefully chosen by St. Nicholas. Its Byzantine architecture, conceived by Dr. Michael A. Shchurupov and designed by Josiah Conder, captured attention upon completion on March 8, 1891.
The unique sound of its bell and its distinctive appearance found their way into contemporary literature and illustrations.
Devastated by the Great Kantō earthquake of 1923, the original cathedral required meticulous restoration. Led by Archbishop Sergius (Tikhomirov), who succeeded St. Nicholas, a reconstructed cathedral emerged in 1929 with modified features. The earthquake’s damage offered an opportunity for cultural preservation and enhancement.
In 1962, the building earned the distinction of being a Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property, reaffirming its cultural and historical value.
The Holy Resurrection Cathedral, affectionately known as Nikorai-do, embodies a testament to the enduring legacy of the Japanese Orthodox Church and its role in cultural heritage.
The Cathedral of St. Joseph
The Cathedral of St. Joseph, also referred to as St. Joseph’s Church, stands as an esteemed Catholic landmark situated in Tokyo’s Tsukiji area, Japan. This venerable church, consecrated in honor of St. Joseph, holds the distinction of being Tokyo’s pioneer Catholic church.
Missionaries from the Paris Foreign Missions Society, who arrived in Tokyo in 1871, established this sacred place. On July 2, 1874, they procured a 900 square meter parcel of land from the Japanese government and promptly embarked on construction.
By November 22 of the same year, the church proudly stood complete. It rapidly evolved into the focal point for Catholic missionaries operating in Japan, especially in Tokyo’s northern regions.
The year 1874 marked a pivotal moment when the Tokyo bishop elevated the church’s status to a cathedral, serving as the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Japan, now recognized as the Archdiocese of Tokyo. Following this, a comprehensive restoration initiative for the temple commenced in December 1874, culminating on November 15, 1878.
Until 1920, the Church of St. Joseph served as the cathedral, at which point the local bishop transitioned to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Tokyo, further enriching the city’s ecclesiastical landscape. This historic cathedral, rooted in faith and history, continues to stand as a symbol of Tokyo’s Catholic heritage.
St. Mary’s Cathedral
St. Mary’s Cathedral stands as the spiritual nucleus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tokyo, nestled within Tokyo’s Bunkyo district, specifically the Sekiguchi neighborhood.
The cathedral’s origins trace back to 1899 when a Gothic-style wooden structure was raised by students as the Chapel of the French Missionaries Seminary. It metamorphosed into the church for the Sekiguchi parish in 1900, and eventually, in 1920, it attained the esteemed status of being the Cathedral Church of the Archbishop of Tokyo.
Although this original cathedral was unfortunately lost during the World War II air raids on Tokyo, it stood as a testament to faith until then.
The contemporary St. Mary’s Cathedral, a masterpiece envisioned by Kenzo Tange, was unveiled in December 1964, embodying a design that resembles a cross. Eight hyperbolic parabolas soar skyward, coalescing to form a luminous cross of light that vertically extends along all four facades. This groundbreaking design concept influenced the iconic St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco.
The architectural composition includes additional structures such as the baptistry and baptismal font. The bell tower, rising 61.6 meters (202 feet) high, stands slightly apart from the main building.
The cathedral’s external veneer showcases gleaming stainless steel, while an impressive organ crafted by Italy’s Mascioni was installed in 2004, enriching the auditory experience of worship within its sacred walls.
St. Mary’s Cathedral not only embodies architectural grandeur but also represents a spiritual haven where devotion converges with artistic brilliance.
The Catholic Kanda Church
The Catholic Church of Kanda or the Church of St. Francis Xavier is a parish church in Tokyo (Chiyoda special ward) in Japan. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Tokyo and is the oldest surviving church in the capital of Japan.
The first Catholic church (namban-ji) in Tokyo (then known as Edo) was established in the late 16th century and was soon demolished during the persecution of Christians.
In 1872, Catholic missionaries from the Paris Foreign Missions Society began secret missionary activities in Tokyo under the guise of teaching foreign languages. A year after Christianity was legalized in Japan, a temporary cathedral named after St. Francis Xavier was established in the current location in January 1874. This marked the first church in Tokyo since the end of persecutions.
In 1877, the first pastor of the church was Father Bernard Petitjean. In 1881, sisters from the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres arrived and established a medical center, an orphanage, and an elementary school. The school later transformed into Shirayuri Gakuen and Hyosung Academy. In 1896, a neo-Gothic-style masonry church building was consecrated, which unfortunately burned down in 1913.
On December 9, 1928, the current church, constructed from fire and earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete in the Neo-Renaissance style, was consecrated. After the St. Mary’s Cathedral was destroyed during the World War II, the Kanda Church had to resume its role as a cathedral until 1964 when the current Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established in Tokyo.
In 1949, on the 400th anniversary of the introduction of Catholicism in Japan, a solemn introduction of relics of St. Francis Xavier took place at the Kanda Church.
