My Favorites

My Tokyo Guide

See something interesting? Click on the heart button in the article to add a page from this site to My Favorites.

Main content starts here.

Updated: October 6, 2023

St. Mary's Cathedral 東京カテドラル聖マリア大聖堂

3-16-15 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo City, Tokyo

Visit Tokyo's most impressive cathedral

The seat of Tokyo's Roman Catholic Archdiocese, St. Mary’s Cathedral is famous for its cross-shaped structure.

Tips

  • Go to a Catholic mass in Japanese
  • See a piece of impressive modernist architecture

The original church was a wooden structure in the Gothic style, built in 1899 but destroyed during the air raids of World War II in 1945. The church that stands today was designed by Kenzo Tange from 1960 to 1964, assisted by acoustic and structural engineers from the University of Tokyo. Tange was known for artfully mixing modernism and traditional Japanese styles, and is famous for winning the design competition for Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
The cathedral is notable for its modernist structure, made up of eight curved walls, or hyperbolic parabolas, which form a large cross. It is made of concrete covered by stainless steel. The imposing interior has seating for 600 and standing room for 2,000. It also contains Japan's largest pipe organ. Concerts are also held here due to the building’s excellent acoustics.

For information about dates when mass will be held, please refer to the official website linked on the right.

How to Get There

  • Gokokuji StationYurakucho LineExit 610 min on foot

Contact

Your current location:

Opening Hours

  • 9:00-17:00

Facility Info

  • RestroomsSmoking areasParking
  • JapaneseEnglish
  • Automatic doorsWheelchair rampDiaper changing facilitiesWheelchair loan

For updated information on opening hours, closings, prices, and more, please check the official website or ask the facility directly.