Urakami Kyokai Urakami Church

A church built by Urakami believers who overcame repeated hardships

Urakami Church (Urakami Cathedral) is located in the Urakami district, one of Nagasaki's sacred places for Christians, and was planned to be built by believers who gained freedom after the ban on suppressing Christians was lifted. After overcoming financial difficulties, it was dedicated in 1914 as the largest brick Romanesque cathedral in the East. French-made Angelus bells were installed in the front twin towers, but just 20 years later, in 1945, Urakami Church was tragically destroyed by the atomic bomb, leaving only a small part of the church walls, and the Angelus bells and the bell tower were destroyed. Both collapsed.

The current building was rebuilt with concrete in 14, about 1959 years after the atomic bomb was dropped, and then renovated with brick tiles in 1980 to restore it to its original appearance. Surrounding it are stone statues of the remains of the atomic bomb, and the other Angelus Bell, which withstood the blast of the atomic bomb, still rings the time.

There is an atomic bomb relics exhibition room on the first floor of the congregation's hall in Urakami Church. In addition to panels introducing the history of Urakami Church and photos before and after the atomic bombing, there are also displays of statues of the Virgin Mary donated by families of believers.

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Busan Area: Nagasaki city center area (Peace Park, Mt. Inasa, Glover Garden, etc.)

Categories: (I.e. Night view

travel theme: Enjoy the scenery and night view learn peace Recommended for summer

Let's find out more! Urakami Church

The remains of the bell tower that fell to the riverbed

A-bombed remains of the former Urakami Cathedral remain within the precincts

The grounds of Urakami Cathedral are dotted with many stone statues that were exposed to the atomic bomb.
Next to the river flowing to the lower left towards the cathedral, you can see the remains of the bell tower on the left, which collapsed due to the atomic bomb.
The collapsed bell tower blocked the flow of the river, but at the time it was impossible to move the 50-ton bell tower, so construction work was carried out to change the flow of the river.
The bell tower still remains in the same place it fell into.
The Angelus bell that was hanging on the left side is currently stored and exhibited in the Liturgical Center Pietà in the temple grounds.
（平日10:00〜12:00、13:30〜17:00／日曜10:00〜12:00／木曜休館）
In addition, statues of Our Lady of Sorrows and St. John the Apostle, which are the remains of the atomic bombings, are displayed at the front entrance of the cathedral.
These were carved by Father Freno himself, who designed the old Urakami Cathedral, and are part of the church that still retains the appearance of the old cathedral, but the ``Christ on the Cross'' statue in the center was damaged in the atomic bomb, so it was duplicated.
Damaged Angelus Bell

A-bombed remains of the former Urakami Cathedral remain within the precincts

The grounds of Urakami Cathedral are dotted with many stone statues that were exposed to the atomic bomb.
Next to the river flowing to the lower left towards the cathedral, you can see the remains of the bell tower on the left, which collapsed due to the atomic bomb.
The collapsed bell tower blocked the flow of the river, but at the time it was impossible to move the 50-ton bell tower, so construction work was carried out to change the flow of the river.
The bell tower still remains in the same place it fell into.
The Angelus bell that was hanging on the left side is currently stored and exhibited in the Liturgical Center Pietà in the temple grounds.
（平日10:00〜12:00、13:30〜17:00／日曜10:00〜12:00／木曜休館）
In addition, statues of Our Lady of Sorrows and St. John the Apostle, which are the remains of the atomic bombings, are displayed at the front entrance of the cathedral.
These were carved by Father Freno himself, who designed the old Urakami Cathedral, and are part of the church that still retains the appearance of the old cathedral, but the ``Christ on the Cross'' statue in the center was damaged in the atomic bomb, so it was duplicated.
A statue that retains the appearance of the old Urakami Cathedral

A-bombed remains of the former Urakami Cathedral remain within the precincts

The grounds of Urakami Cathedral are dotted with many stone statues that were exposed to the atomic bomb.
Next to the river flowing to the lower left towards the cathedral, you can see the remains of the bell tower on the left, which collapsed due to the atomic bomb.
The collapsed bell tower blocked the flow of the river, but at the time it was impossible to move the 50-ton bell tower, so construction work was carried out to change the flow of the river.
The bell tower still remains in the same place it fell into.
The Angelus bell that was hanging on the left side is currently stored and exhibited in the Liturgical Center Pietà in the temple grounds.
（平日10:00〜12:00、13:30〜17:00／日曜10:00〜12:00／木曜休館）
In addition, statues of Our Lady of Sorrows and St. John the Apostle, which are the remains of the atomic bombings, are displayed at the front entrance of the cathedral.
These were carved by Father Freno himself, who designed the old Urakami Cathedral, and are part of the church that still retains the appearance of the old cathedral, but the ``Christ on the Cross'' statue in the center was damaged in the atomic bomb, so it was duplicated.

Basic Information

Address	852-8112 Motocho, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture 1-79
Telephone number	095-844-1777
Opening hours	[Preview hours] 9:00-17:00
Days Off	Open all year round
Prices	Admission is free (*Please donate to the donation box.)
Transportation access	15 minutes by bus from Nagasaki Station bus stop, get off at Urakami Cathedral (or Catholic Center) bus stop and walk for 1 minute　　　　　 Approximately 13 minutes by tram (bound for Akasako) from Nagasaki Station, then approximately 8 minutes' walk from Peace Park stop.
Link URL	Orasho (Christianity-related historical and cultural heritage group website in Nagasaki and Amakusa regions) trip advisor