The Three Churches of Motomachi

photo by 663highland · CC BY 2.5

photo by 663highland · CC BY 2.5

The altar of the Catholic church (1923) was a gift from the Pope in Rome: the only such case in Japan.

On a single slope in Hakodate stand three active churches of different denominations: the Catholic one, rebuilt in 1923 after a fire, has on its altar a gift sent directly from Rome; the Russian Orthodox one, from 1916 and restored in 2021–22, is the first Russian Orthodox church building constructed in Japan, recognisable by its white walls and green roof.

The Motomachi district, on the hill above the port of Hakodate, was the city's first point of contact with the Christian missions after the port opened in 1859. Three active churches still stand there today: Motomachi Catholic Church (original building from 1859, rebuilt in 1923), the Russian Orthodox Haristos Church (current building from 1916, the first of that denomination built in Japan) and St John's Anglican Church (a mission since 1874, current building from 1979, recognisable by its brown cross-shaped roof).

ℹ️ The three churches are a few steps from one another, along the same slope. The exteriors can be seen at any time; to visit the interiors, check opening hours, closing days and any tickets.

🚉 Hakodate · 31 min walk

Sources: hakobura.jp

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