Tabira Catholic Church, Catholic church in Hirado, Japan.
Tabira Catholic Church is a house of worship in Hirado built with red brick featuring Romanesque elements including rounded arches, sturdy pillars, and two matching towers flanking the entrance. The structure combines European religious design with Japanese building methods and construction materials sourced locally.
After religious persecution ended in 1873, Christians from Sotome and Kuroshima built this church between 1915 and 1918. The building marks the revival of Catholic worship in the region following decades of suppression.
The church blends European religious architecture with Japanese building techniques developed under architect Yosuke Tetsukawa's direction. Visitors can see how two different architectural traditions came together in the details and construction methods used throughout the building.
Visitors should arrange access through the Hidden Christian Sites Information Centre and remove shoes before entering the church. Planning ahead ensures you can visit without complications.
The building earned its status as an Important Cultural Property of Japan because of its architectural merit and historical connection to persecuted Christians. This recognition reflects how the structure documents a pivotal moment in the region's religious history.
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