Oura Church

Oura Church (大浦天主堂, Ōura Tenshudō), located in Nagasaki, is the oldest Christian church in Japan, built in 1864 by a French missionary. It was constructed for the growing community of foreign merchants in the city and is dedicated to the 26 Christians who were executed in 1597. This beautiful church is an excellent example of contemporary European architecture and stands as a symbol of Christianity in Japan.

A national treasure, Oura Church is the first Western-style building in Japan to receive this designation. Visitors can also explore the Christian Museum, located near the church, which showcases exhibits about the church’s history and Christianity in Japan. The museum displays artifacts and documents, though most explanations are in Japanese. The steep admission fee includes both the church and the museum.