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Oura Church (大浦天主堂), officially known as the Church of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan, is a historic Roman Catholic church located in Nagasaki, Japan. It is considered one of the most important and beautiful churches in Japan and a significant symbol of the country’s Christian heritage.
The church was built in 1864 by French missionaries and dedicated to the 26 Christian martyrs who were executed in Nagasaki in 1597. The church was built in the Gothic style, with beautiful stained glass windows, intricate carvings, and religious artwork. One of the most striking features is the statue of the Virgin Mary, which is said to have been made from a single piece of camphor wood.
The completion of the church led to a pivotal moment in Japanese Christian history known as “The Discovery of the Believers.” Hidden Christians, who had practiced their faith in secret for centuries, came forward to profess their beliefs at Oura Church.
During the Meiji period (1868-1912), when the Japanese government sought to suppress Christianity, the church served as a refuge for persecuted Christians.
Today, Oura Church is a popular tourist destination and an important symbol of Nagasaki’s Christian heritage. Visitors can attend mass, explore the church’s interior, and learn about its history and significance. The church is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers stunning views of the surrounding cityscape. The adjacent Oura Catholic Church Museum exhibits artifacts related to the church’s history and the history of Christianity in Japan. In 2018, the church was designated a World Heritage Site as part of the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.”
Getting there
From Nagasaki Station to Oura Church
| Bus | Nagasaki Station ↓ Bus Number 40 ↓ 9 minutes (6 stops) Glover Garden ↓ Walk about 5 minutes ↓ Oura Church (Cost 160 yen) |
Details
| Hours | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Reception closes 5:30 PM. |
| Admission | Adults: 1,000 yen Junior high school and high school students: 400 yen Elementary school: 300 yen |
| Phone | +81 95-823-2628 |
| Address | 5-3 Minamiyamatemachi, Nagasaki, 850-0931 |
| Official Website | https://oura-church.jp/ |
