©Arukikata. Co. , Ltd.  |  ©Bringer Japan Z Inc.

Oura Cathedral

Verified [Verified] denotes information that has been published with confirmation of its owing parties.

Oura Cathedral

Japan’s oldest surviving wood-framed brick church and the site of the “Discovery of the Hidden Christians,” where hidden Christians revealed their faith.

3.25 3

Last update :
Supervised by :  Oura Cathedral

Oura Cathedral was built for foreign residents. Officially named the Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan, it is dedicated to the 26 saints martyred in Bunroku 1 (1597) and faces Nishizaka, the site of their martyrdom.

Designed by the French missionaries Father Furet and Father Petitjean and constructed by Koyama Hidenoshin, the cathedral was completed in Genji 1 (1864). It is a Gothic church blending Japanese and Western architectural elements, with brick walls finished in plaster.

In March of Genji 2 (1865), while Christianity was still prohibited in Japan, hidden Christians from Urakami visited Oura Cathedral and revealed their faith to Father Petitjean. Known as the “Discovery of the Hidden Christians,” this moving event revealed that believers had secretly preserved their faith for approximately 250 years and is regarded as a miracle in the history of Christianity worldwide.

The cathedral was damaged by the atomic bombing on August 9, Showa 20 (1945). After five years of restoration work, it was redesignated a National Treasure in Showa 28 (1953). In Heisei 30 (2018), it was recognized as one of the component sites of the Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.

As Japan’s oldest surviving Gothic-style church built with a wood frame and brick walls, it is one of the major attractions to visit in Nagasaki.

Highlights

  • The neighboring Former Latin Seminary and Former Archbishop’s Residence now house the Christian Museum.
  • The statue known as “Our Lady of the Discovery of the Hidden Christians,” which the hidden Christians are said to have come to see, stands on the side altar to the right of the main altar.
  • The statue of Our Lady of Japan at the entrance was sent from France to commemorate the Discovery of the Hidden Christians.
  • The rib-vaulted ceiling was created by forming curved arches of bamboo from wooden pillars and covering them with plaster.
  • Father Petitjean was buried beneath Oura Cathedral. His tombstone can be found inside the cathedral.

Photos

  • The white walls of Oura Cathedral against a blue sky

    The white walls of Oura Cathedral against a blue sky

  • Statue of Our Lady of Japan

    Statue of Our Lady of Japan

  • Statue of Bishop Petitjean © Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Association

    Statue of Bishop Petitjean © Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Association

  • Monument commemorating the Discovery of the Hidden Christians © Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Association

    Monument commemorating the Discovery of the Hidden Christians © Nagasaki Prefecture Tourism Association

  • View of Nagasaki from Oura Cathedral

    View of Nagasaki from Oura Cathedral

Reviews

3

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • Linda Liao
    See More

    Oura Catholic Church is a Gothic-style Catholic church with white walls in Nagasaki. It is also Japan's oldest wooden Western-style building and is designated a National Treasure. Its most distinctive feature is its blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles, along with the elegantly colored stained-glass windows inside. It is also a sacred site that witnessed the historic miracle known as the “Discovery of the Hidden Christians” in Japan. During my visit, I could feel the solemn, tranquil atmosphere. Sunlight shining through the beautiful stained glass created an interplay of light and shadow that made me feel especially peaceful, and I was deeply moved by the profound history of this World Heritage site.

  • 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人
    See More

    When planning a trip to Nagasaki, I recommend choosing a leisurely morning like I did and combining a visit to Oura Catholic Church with nearby Glover Garden. On the walk from the streetcar stop, there are many distinctive souvenir shops and popular snacks along the way.

    As you stroll, you can try the fragrant local specialty kakuni, which is similar to Taiwanese gua bao, as well as smooth Minamiyamate pudding and soft-serve ice cream. The streets are also lined with many charming little shops selling beautiful stained-glass souvenirs that complement the romantic atmosphere of Oura Catholic Church.

    As Japan's oldest surviving wooden Gothic-style church, Oura Catholic Church bears witness to Nagasaki's deep history of faith. It's definitely a great cultural spot to slow down, stroll around, take a closer look, and experience the blend of history and international charm.

  • 夏婉欣
    See More

    This is the oldest Catholic church! The Gothic architecture and the stunning stained glass windows are just breathtaking.

Details

Name in Japanese
大浦天主堂
Postal Code
850-0931
Address
5-3 Minamiyamate-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Phone
095-823-2628
Closed on
Open year-round
Hours
8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. from November 1 through the end of February
Admission
Adults: ¥1,000; junior high and high school students: ¥400; elementary school students: ¥300 (includes museum admission)
Access
5-minute walk from the Oura Cathedral streetcar stop
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official website
Official website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa