Standing along Tonomachi Street in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, Tsuwano Catholic Church is one of the town’s most distinctive historic buildings. Its white walls and pointed Gothic-style tower create a striking contrast with the traditional Japanese streetscape of the former castle town.
The church was built in 1931 under the direction of Father W. Schaefer, a German missionary. The wooden building covered with mortar is now a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, reflecting both the history of Christianity in Tsuwano and the town’s unique architectural character.
One of the most unusual features of Tsuwano Catholic Church is its tatami-covered sanctuary. In many Western churches, rows of wooden pews fill the nave, but here traditional Japanese tatami flooring creates a distinctly Japanese atmosphere within a Christian place of worship.
The combination of Christian architecture and Japanese interior design gives the church a calm and intimate character. Visitors can sit quietly on the tatami and take in the peaceful surroundings. The wooden ceiling adds warmth to the interior, while colorful stained-glass windows filter the daylight into soft, beautiful patterns.
During the day, natural light makes the stained glass particularly impressive. After dark, the illuminated exterior takes on a different and more atmospheric appearance. A visit can be combined naturally with a walk through Tsuwano’s historic streets, allowing travelers to experience both the church and the traditional townscape around it.
Next to the church is an exhibition room dedicated to Otome Pass, a place closely connected with the history of Christian persecution in Tsuwano. The exhibits provide important background for understanding a darker chapter of Japan’s religious history.
Between 1868 and 1873, 153 Christians from Urakami in Nagasaki were exiled to Tsuwano. At a time when Christianity was still prohibited in Japan, they were subjected to severe persecution and torture at Otome Pass. According to historical records, 37 of them died as martyrs.
The exhibition includes historical materials relating to the suppression of Christianity, official notices, and records concerning those who were persecuted. It also displays the manuscript of “Otome Pass,” the final work written by Dr. Takashi Nagai, a physician and writer from Nagasaki who became known for his experiences following the atomic bombing.
Today, a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary stands at Otome Pass, and the site continues to attract pilgrims. The annual Otome Pass Festival is held on May 3, drawing Christians and visitors from across Japan.
The history of Christianity in Tsuwano reaches back much further than the present church. Historical records indicate that Christians were already living in the Tsuwano area by the early 17th century.
After the beginning of the Meiji period, French missionary Father Marie-Julien Villion played an important role in missionary activities in Tsuwano. In 1892, an official mission station was established in the town.
In 1923, Catholic missionary activities in the Chugoku region were reorganized as the Apostolic Vicariate of Hiroshima, and German Jesuit priests became increasingly active in the area. This eventually led to the construction of the present church in 1931.
The church was built under the guidance of Father Schaefer by Masaharu Kawahara, a master carpenter from Nagasaki. Although the design incorporates Gothic elements, the building was carefully adapted to Japan’s climate and the traditional streetscape of Tsuwano.
The church was designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 1996, followed by the priest’s residence in 2010. Preservation and repair work was carried out between 2020 and 2021, helping to protect the building for future generations.
Tsuwano Catholic Church is more than a historic building to admire from the outside. It is also a peaceful place where visitors can pause, reflect, and experience a quieter side of the town.
The surrounding area is filled with traditional features of Tsuwano, including white-plastered buildings, former samurai residences, and waterways where colorful carp swim. Walking through this historic neighborhood gives visitors a sense of how the castle town developed over the centuries.
Several other major attractions are also within walking distance, including the former residence of literary figure Mori Ogai and Taikodani Inari Shrine. The church can therefore be incorporated naturally into a broader walking tour focused on Tsuwano’s history, culture, and religious heritage.
Tsuwano Catholic Church is a remarkable example of how Christian architecture and Japanese culture have come together in a historic Japanese town. Its Gothic-style exterior, traditional tatami interior, colorful stained glass, and surrounding castle-town scenery create an atmosphere that is unlike that of most churches in Japan.
At the same time, the neighboring Otome Pass exhibition reminds visitors that the history of Christianity in Japan was not always peaceful. Learning about the persecution and the people who maintained their faith under extremely difficult circumstances adds a deeper historical dimension to a visit.
When exploring Tsuwano, take time to step inside the church, quietly appreciate the stained glass and tatami-covered sanctuary, and then continue walking through the historic streets. The combination of Japanese tradition, Western architecture, faith, and a complex history of religious persecution makes Tsuwano Catholic Church one of the town’s most distinctive cultural landmarks.
Tsuwano Catholic Church is approximately a 10-minute walk from JR Tsuwano Station. Its location along the historic Tonomachi Street makes it easy to include in a walking tour of Tsuwano’s former castle town.
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free to visit
Free (free admission to the exhibition rooms)
12 min. walk from Tsuwano Station on JR Yamaguchi Line