Important Cultural Property
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Miyazu
This church was built in 1896 by local craftsmen. It was designed by Father Jean-Louis Relave, who was sent from the Paris Foreign Missions Society to promote Catholicism in the Tango region.
The craftsmanship of the ribbed vault ceiling with its wood paneling is exquisite, and the stained-glass windows slide open from the center. The tatami floor for congregational seating is evidence of how Catholicism was practiced in Japan at that time.
St. John’s of Miyazu is the oldest wooden Catholic church in Japan where mass is still celebrated.
The exterior is Romanesque in style, with a tile roof. Although the front facade was rebuilt after the North Tango Earthquake of 1927, the building still occupies an important place in the history of church architecture in Japan.
Since the introduction of Christianity, the Christian god is called “Tenshu” (“lord of heaven”) in Japanese. The buildings used to spread Christian teachings are called tenshudo.
Tenshudo is written on the front of this church as well.
The entire church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus Christ and guided people to Christ throughout his life.
It is the oldest wooden Catholic church in Japan outside Nagasaki and is a priceless historical building.
It was designated a National Important Cultural Property on January 19, 2024.
【Digital Motion Book】
This manga-style digital motion book can be enjoyed on your smartphone and will help you deepen your understanding of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Miyazu. You can access it by scanning the QR code on the on-site signboard with your smartphone camera.
【Virtual Guide】
The Virtual Guide explains St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Miyazu using characters that appear in your smartphone camera in front of the actual cultural property.
(This content is only accessible at the cultural property.)
【GPS-Linked Digital Map with Historical Overlay】
GPS-Linked Digital Map with Historical Overlay
The GPS-enabled digital map with historical overlay allows you to switch between a present-day map and a historical map. These maps let you see how the terrain or coastline has changed over time. It can also help you find your way to other cultural properties in Miyazu.
【Immersive Virtual Tour】
Immersive virtual tour is content that links 360° images of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Miyazu to create a virtual space that you can navigate to visually understand St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Miyazu.
Address
500 Miyamoto, Miyazu-shi, Kyoto-fu
Phone
0772-22-3127
