Orders

Urakami Cathedral

Name: Urakami Cathedral
Address: 1-79 Motoomachi, Nagasaki, 852-8112, Japan
Rating: 4.3

4.3 (200)・Tourist Attraction・Church・Place Of Worship・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki is a powerful symbol of faith and resilience. Originally built in the late 19th century by local Christians who had practiced their faith in secret for centuries, this cathedral was once the largest church in East Asia. Its grand design and beautiful stained glass reflected the joy of Christians finally able to worship openly.

Tragically, in 1945, the cathedral was almost entirely destroyed by the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki. The explosion happened just 500 meters away, reducing this magnificent structure to ruins and taking many lives. However, the spirit of the community was not broken.

In the years following World War II, Urakami Cathedral was rebuilt on the same site. The new structure, completed in 1959, retains elements of the original, including some of the surviving statues and a remnant of the original wall. Today, it stands not just as a place of worship but as a testament to the endurance of the human spirit and the power of hope and renewal.

Hours:

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fee:

Free

Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone

+81 95-844-1777

Website

uracathe.sakura.ne.jp

The area

Address

1-79 Motoomachi, Nagasaki, 852-8112, Japan

Top ways to experience Urakami Cathedral

3hrs

3 Hours Introductory Tour Of Nagasaki

From $142 /person

8hrs

Full Day Nagasaki Private Walking Tour With A Local Guide

From $336 /person

approx. 7-21 days

Ultimate JR Pass – Travel All of Japan Freely

From $209 /person

What other travelers are saying about Urakami Cathedral

Cool to see the charred statues, but if you're not religious, you may want to skip as the cathedral has been rebuilt and is still an active religious site. It is walkable from Peace Park but did not really feel like a worthwhile detour.

ItzMe

May 30, 2025

Destroyed after the bombing of Nagasaki, only a few decades after its completion of being built. This church is a testament to the faith of the Catholics of Nagasaki and their resilience. It has now been rebuilt and has a nice gift shop with lots of memorabilia from the time of the bombing. The church itself has a gorgeous blue light shining in from the stained glass windows.

M Z

Jan 28, 2025

A beautiful cathedral located in Nagasaki just a walk from the Peace Park. It survived the atomic bombing and stands tall and wonderfully strong.

Anthony Plaxen

Mar 3, 2025

This is a Catholic cathedral. Not much to do or see here, but it does have a large role in the history of the religion in the country. The current building was rebuilt in the same place as where the original one stood.

ARBN

Mar 10, 2025

Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki, Japan, is a historic Roman Catholic church with deep significance. Originally built in the late 19th century, it was the largest cathedral in East Asia at the time. The cathedral became a symbol of resilience after it was destroyed during the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945, as it was located near the bomb’s hypocenter. The reconstructed cathedral, completed in 1959, stands as a memorial to the victims and a testament to peace. Its blend of Western and Japanese architectural elements reflects the history of Christianity in Japan, especially during periods of persecution. The cathedral also houses artifacts from the bombing, offering a somber reminder of the past.