The Former Numata Church Memorial Hall is a historic Christian building located in Kaminomachi, Numata City, Gunma Prefecture. Built during the Taisho period (1912–1926), it is a valuable example of early modern Christian architecture in Japan.
The building has been relocated to the Taisho Romance Area, where it stands alongside other historic structures and has become part of a new cultural and tourism district in central Numata.
It is also registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, making it an important site for experiencing the history and architectural heritage of the region.
The former Numata Church was built in 1914, during the Taisho period, in the central part of Numata. Construction was made possible through a donation from the Hoshino family, which had prospered through the silk trade.
The church was established through the efforts of Pastor Kota Hoshino and Ai Hoshino, who later became president of Tsuda University and was named an honorary citizen of Numata.
Among surviving Christian church buildings in Gunma Prefecture, it is one of the oldest. It was built after Nakuta Church in 1887 and Shimamura Church in 1897, making it the third-oldest surviving church building of its kind in the prefecture.
Since its construction, the building has been relocated several times as the surrounding area changed.
In 1988, it was moved to Nishikurauchi, where it was used as the Sekiguchi Ko Kirie Museum, dedicated to the Japanese art of paper-cutting.
In 2016, the former owner donated the building to Numata City. The city subsequently undertook careful dismantling, restoration, and preservation work.
As part of the redevelopment of Numata Park, the church was relocated once again in 2020, this time to its present location in Kaminomachi within the Taisho Romance Area.
Throughout the restoration process, great care was taken to preserve the building’s historic character and architectural details, allowing its original appearance to be experienced today.
The building is a two-story wooden structure with a slate roof. It was designed and constructed by Konosuke Kosuge, a carpenter from Wado in Saitama Prefecture, now part of Miyashiro Town.
Kosuge was also involved in the construction of buildings such as Yokohama Kaigan Church and Ferris Girls’ School. His architectural skills and aesthetic sensibility can be seen in the design of the former Numata Church.
The exterior features weatherboard siding, tall vertical sash windows, sometimes known as guillotine windows, and a steeply pitched roof.
Although relatively simple in design, the building has an elegant and dignified appearance. Its architecture represents the Western-style buildings of the Taisho period and reflects the spread of Christianity and Western culture in Japan during the era.
The area around the former Numata Church is being developed as the Taisho Romance Area.
This neighborhood was once a busy commercial center of the Tone-Numata region. In recent decades, however, it faced challenges such as population decline and increasing numbers of vacant shops.
To revitalize central Numata, the city began relocating and preserving historic buildings dating from the late Meiji and Taisho periods. These buildings have been brought together to create a cohesive historic streetscape centered around Terrace Numata, a multipurpose complex that also houses Numata City Hall.
The Former Numata Savings Bank was built around 1908 as the former headquarters of Numata Savings Bank, one of the predecessor institutions of today’s Gunma Bank.
This two-story wooden building features a hipped roof and plaster walls, while its interior includes a ceiling decorated with Kin-kara-kami, an elaborate embossed decorative paper. The building preserves important features of Meiji-period banking architecture and is open to the public.
The Former Toki Family Western-Style Residence was originally built in 1924 in Hiroo, Tokyo, as the residence of Viscount Toki Akira, a member of the former Japanese aristocracy.
The building reflects the influence of Jugendstil, the German form of Art Nouveau, and is distinguished by features such as its ox-eye windows and stone terrace.
Inside, Western-style and Japanese-style rooms coexist, offering a glimpse into the refined residential culture of Japan’s upper classes during the Taisho period.
The Former Kume Family Western-Style Residence was built around 1912 and originally stood in Yoyogi-Uehara, Tokyo. It was reportedly used as a reception house associated with the Kishu-Tokugawa family.
The building survived wartime damage and later alterations before being relocated to Numata in 2023. Its tiled exterior walls and sash windows preserve the architectural details of its original period.
The Ubukata Memorial Library celebrates the achievements of tanka poet Tatsue Ubukata, one of the leading female poets of postwar Japan.
The museum houses her books, manuscripts, and related materials and introduces visitors to the culture of tanka, a traditional form of Japanese short poetry. Special exhibitions and events are held three times a year, making the library an important center for cultural exchange.
The Taisho Romance Area has been developed as a tourism destination, with combination tickets for several historic buildings and sightseeing bus tours that include the district.
The buildings are located within easy walking distance of one another, making it possible to explore the area at a relaxed pace.
The streets lined with Western-style historic buildings also provide attractive photography opportunities. Together with the changing scenery of the four seasons, the district offers a chance to experience the atmosphere of Japan’s Taisho era.
The area is particularly interesting for travelers interested in history, literature, architecture, and Japanese cultural heritage, while also offering a distinctive new way to explore Numata.
From JR Numata Station, take a Kan-Etsu Kotsu bus for approximately 6 minutes and get off at the Kaminomachi stop. The area is just a short walk from the bus stop.
The Taisho Romance Area is approximately 10 minutes by car from the Numata Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway.
The Former Numata Church Memorial Hall is more than an old historic building. Its preservation and relocation represent Numata’s efforts to protect its cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for tourism and community revitalization.
Its survival through several relocations reflects the importance placed on preserving the region’s history for future generations.
By combining a visit to the former church with the nearby former bank, historic residences, and Ubukata Memorial Library, visitors can experience the story of Numata from the Meiji and Taisho periods through to the present day.
Take a leisurely walk through the Taisho Romance Area and discover the distinctive atmosphere created by the meeting of history, architecture, literature, and local culture.