20 Temples in Nagasaki worth your time

A 16th-century Soto Zen temple housing feudal lord graves, historic stone statues, and a museum of clan artifacts.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple serving as the family burial site for the Fukumizu Matsudaira clan
• Founded in 1523 in Mikawa Province and moved to its current location in 1669
• The site preserves the history of the successive feudal lords of the Shimabara domain

What to see

• A city-designated temple gate that was completed in 1690
• Sixteen stone Arhat statues located on the grounds dating back to 1739
• The Tokiwa History Museum displaying clan artifacts and a 15th-century world map
• The graves of the feudal lords who ruled the Shimabara region

When to go

• The history museum is open for visitors daily from 9:00 to 17:00

Getting there

• The temple is a five-minute drive from Shimabara Station

Read more about Honko-ji Temple (Shimabara)

Japan's oldest Chinese-style Zen temple, founded in 1629, featuring rare National Treasures and a unique Fujian architectural style.

What it is

• An Obaku Zen temple founded in 1629 by Chinese residents from Fujian.
• One of the four historic Chinese temples located in Nagasaki City.
• The oldest example of a Chinese-style temple currently standing in Japan.
• A former site for language studies and private schools for early missionaries.

What to see

• The Daiyuhoden and Daiipponmon structures which are designated as National Treasures.
• The red Sanmon gate built in 1849, an Important Cultural Property.
• A historic bell and drum tower established on the grounds in 1728.
• Architectural details from the Fujian province style not common in Japanese temples.

Getting there

• The temple is a three-minute walk from Sofukuji Station.

Read more about Sōfuku-ji Temple

A historic Jodo Shinshu temple in Nagasaki featuring graves of famous pioneers and a hall donated by a Chinese translator.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha temple founded in the early 17th century by Keiryo.
• The main object of worship is a statue of Amida Nyorai.
• The temple served as government army headquarters during the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion.
• It has occupied its current location in Kajiya-machi since 1660.

What to see

• The main hall which was originally donated by a Chinese translator named Yoso.
• A historic temple bell cast in 1672.
• The grave of printer Motoki Shozo, a designated Nagasaki City historic site.
• The burial site of martial artist Saigo Shiro.
• The grave of early Japanese photographer Uchida Kuichi.

Read more about Daiko-ji Temple

This museum, hidden beneath a school, displays rare remains of a 17th-century church and artifacts.

What it is

• Museum underneath a primary school.
• Dedicated to Santo Domingo Church, founded 1602.
• Church was rebuilt in Nagasaki in 1609.
• Destroyed in 1614 after Christianity banned.

What to see

• Remains of the church’s basement.
• Iberian-style stone pavement with drainage ditches.
• Well from the Takagi family mansion.
• Excavated church roof tiles with floral crosses.
• Christian medals, crosses, rings, and rosary beads.
• Scorched plates and terracotta-colored tiles from 1663 fire.

Getting there

• Discreet doorway on side road to Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture.

Read more about Santo Domigo Church

Japan's largest wooden church, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles with a history of religious resilience in the Goto Islands.

What it is

• A Catholic cathedral located in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
• The current wooden structure was rebuilt in 1938 by architect Yosuke Tetsukawa.
• The site originally established its first church building in 1880.
• It stands as the largest wooden church building in Japan.

What to see

• Architecture combining Romanesque, Gothic, and traditional Japanese design elements.
• A statue of Saint John of Goto positioned on the hill.
• Ruins of a prison dating back to the era of religious persecution.
• The white wooden exterior and vaulted ceiling of the main hall.

Read more about Mizunoura Church

A Catholic cathedral in Nagasaki Prefecture built in 1952, originally founded as a nursery school and sanctuary.

What it is

• A Catholic cathedral located in Tabira Town within Hirado City.
• Founded originally as a nursery school that served as a temporary sanctuary.
• The current church building was constructed in 1952.
• Established as an independent parish in 1960 after separating from Tabira Church.

What to see

• The cathedral building which was blessed by Bishop Yamaguchi in 1952.
• A site where Father Greeney of the Columban Fathers resided during construction.

Getting there

• The site is located near Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station.

Read more about Hiradoguchi Church

Banshō-in Temple is the ancestral temple of the So family, worth visiting for its historical mausoleum.

What it is

• Ancestral temple of the So family, lords of Tsushima.
• Founded in 1615 by So Yoshinari.
• Named after his father Yoshitoshi's posthumous name.

What to see

• Red main gate with Nio guardian king statues.
• Main hall with three bronze altar decorations.
• Crane-and-turtle candlestick, lion censer, flower vase.
• 132-step stone staircase to the mausoleum.
• So family mausoleum with tombs of lords and family.
• Three giant cedar trees overshadowing the Kami-Otamaya.

Getting there

• Located on the western edge of Izuhara town.

Address

長崎県対馬市厳原町西里192 Map

Read more about Banshō-in Temple

Fukuishi Kannon Temple is a historic Buddhist site housing a significant Kannon statue.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple, formally named Seiganji.
• Dedicated to an Eleven-faced Kannon.
• Founded as the 27th temple of the Kyushu Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Its mountain name is Fukuishisan.

What to see

• The main hall, built in 1785.
• A 2-meter wooden statue of the Eleven-faced Kannon.
• The Eleven-faced Kannon is one of the Kyushu Seven Kannon.
• A rock cave called Ryujin Doketsu is behind the main hall.

When to go

• Fukuishi Kannon Sennichi Festival is held from August 8 to 11.

Address

長崎県佐世保市福石町24-5 Map

Read more about Fukuishi Kannon Temple

Dozaki Church is a historic Catholic church and museum, significant for its post-ban construction and architecture.

What it is

• A Catholic church in Fukue Island, Goto City.
• First church in Goto Islands after Christianity ban.
• Dedicated to the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan.
• Completed on May 10, 1908.

What to see

• Brick-built, Gothic-style, single-story building.
• First Western-style building in Goto.
• Interior made of wood.
• Stained glass patterns feature camellias.
• Dozaki Church Christian Museum opened in 1977.

When to go

• Designated a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property in 1974.

Read more about Dōzaki Church

Kuroshima Church is a historic Catholic church, a World Heritage site with unique architecture.

What it is

• Catholic church in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Also known as the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
• Current building constructed in 1902.
• Designated a National Important Cultural Property.

What to see

• Three-aisle basilica type church building.
• Exterior based on Romanesque style.
• Three-layer structure.
• Local granite and Arita ware tiles.
• Bell tower with a pyramidal roof.

When to go

• Registered as a World Heritage site on June 30, 2018.

Read more about Kuroshima Church

Ancient Buddhist temple with unique natural stone bridges and a Kannon statue.

What it is

• Buddhist temple of the Shingon-shu Chizan-ha sect.
• Founded by Gyoki during the Yoro era.
• 75th Fudasho of the Kyushu 88 Sacred Places.
• 29th Fudasho of the Kyushu 33 Kannon.

What to see

• Seated Eleven-faced Kannon statue is the principal image.
• Two natural stone bridges are within the temple grounds.
• Stone bridges are 27 meters long and 4 meters wide.
• One natural stone bridge is a Hirado Eight View.
• Ohashi Kannon Fern Community is a national natural monument.

Address

長崎県佐世保市吉井町直谷94番地 Map

Read more about Ohashi Kannon-ji Temple

Ankoku-ji Temple is a historic Rinzai temple founded for peace, with important cultural properties.

What it is

• Rinzai sect Daitoku-ji school temple.
• Founded in 1338 by Ashikaga Takauji and Tadayoshi.
• Established for peace and to mourn war dead.

What to see

• Buddha hall, rebuilt in 1779.
• Large cedar tree, a Prefectural Natural Monument.
• Koryo edition of the Great Prajnaparamita Sutra.
• Sutra consists of 219 volumes, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Ten temple artifacts are Prefectural Tangible Cultural Properties.
• Temple ruins are a Prefectural Historic Site.

Address

長崎県壱岐市芦辺町深江栄触546 Map

Read more about Ankoku-ji Temple

This temple on Fukue Island has a copper Buddha statue and a main hall with 121 ceiling paintings.

What it is

• Temple of Myojoin, on Fukue Island.
• Originally a guest house for envoys to Tang China.
• Named by Buddhist priest Kukai in 806.
• Supported by the Goto family from the 14th century.

What to see

• Copper statue of Yakushi, Buddha of medicine.
• Main hall interiors repainted in the 17th century.
• Ceiling with 121 paintings of plants and birds.
• Four corners with images of tennyo, celestial beings.
• Ho-o, a mythical bird, near the center of the outer section.

Address

五島市吉田町1905番地 Map

Read more about Myōjō-in Temple

Japan's oldest Ōbaku Zen temple, Kōfuku-ji offers a glimpse into Nagasaki's Chinese heritage.

What it is

• Japan's oldest Ōbaku Zen temple.
• Founded in 1624 by Chinese monk Shinyen.
• Also known as Akadera, meaning 'red temple'.
• One of the Nagasaki Sanfukuji temples.

What to see

• The red temple gate, giving it the name Akadera.
• Mazu Hall, dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess.
• Main hall, Daiohōden, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Chime-Drum Tower, a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Temple grounds, designated a Prefectural Historic Site.

Address

長崎県長崎市寺町4-32 Map

Official site

kofukuji.com

Read more about Kōfuku-ji Temple

A historic brick church dedicated to martyrs, known for its architecture and stained glass.

What it is

• A Catholic church in Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Built in 1918, designed by Yoshisuke Tetsukawa.
• Dedicated to the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan.
• Designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

What to see

• Exterior made of brick and wood with a tiled roof.
• Stained glass created by Maximiliano Bartoz.

Getting there

• 5-minute drive from Nishi-Tabira Station.
• 10-minute drive from Tabira-Hiradoguchi Station.

Read more about Tabira Catholic Church

Kōtai-ji is a historic Zen Buddhist temple in Nagasaki, notable for its ancient gate and important graves.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple of the Sōtō Zen sect.
• One of Nagasaki's three major temples.
• Founded in 1608 as Kasatōzan Kōtai-ji.
• Emperor Meishō bestowed the current temple name.

What to see

• Graves of four Nagasaki magistrates.
• Graves of the Hayashi and Miyaba families.
• Grave of Kusumoto Ine, Siebold's daughter.
• The rebuilt main hall and other buildings.
• The temple gate, a cultural property.
• The Niōmon gate, Nagasaki's oldest temple gate.

Address

長崎県長崎市寺町1-1 Map

Official site

kotaiji.net

Read more about Kōtai-ji Temple

A historic Romanesque church on Ikitsuki Island, known for its unique interior decorations.

What it is

• A Catholic church dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.
• Construction began in 1909, completed in 1912.
• Designed and built by Yosuke Tetsukawa.
• Renovated and expanded in 1970.

What to see

• Romanesque style architecture.
• Interior walls with butterfly wing decorations.
• Decorations depict the Seven Sacraments.
• Monument for Saint Thomas Nishi in the front garden.

Getting there

• A 5-minute drive from Ikitsuki Bridge.

Read more about Yamada Catholic Church

A historic Catholic church in Nagasaki, part of a World Heritage site, showcasing Japan's Hidden Christian past.

What it is

• A Catholic church in Nagasaki, Japan.
• Designed by Father Marc Marie de Rotz, construction began in 1882.
• Part of the Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.
• Designated a National Important Cultural Property.

What to see

• A brick building with a low roof.
• Rectangular plan with three naves.
• The current form completed in 1909 after two expansions.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from the Shitsu bus stop.

Read more about Shitsu Church

Kiyomizu-dera Temple: a historic temple with Nagasaki's oldest main hall and important cultural properties.

What it is

• Shingon sect Reiyunji school temple.
• Founded in 1623 by Keijun.
• Main deity is Senju Kannon.

What to see

• Main hall, built in 1668, is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Main hall is the oldest in Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Main hall enshrines Senju Kannon and Twenty-Eight Legions statues.
• Stele commemorating main hall reconstruction is an Important Cultural Property.
• Painting of Fudo Myoo is an Important Cultural Property.

Address

長崎県長崎市鍛冶屋町8-43 Map

Read more about Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Ōno Church is a historic Catholic church, part of Hidden Christian Sites, with unique architecture.

What it is

• A Catholic church completed in 1893.
• Designed by Father Marc Marie de Rotz.
• Designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2008.
• Part of the Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki and Amakusa Region.

What to see

• Single-story structure with a tiled roof.
• Hall section is made of stone.
• Priest's room section is made of wood.
• Unique entrance through a side windbreak room.
• Statue of the Virgin Mary in the church garden.

Read more about Ōno Church