St. Mary's Cathedral, Tokyo

Located on a hill in Sekiguchi, Bunkyo Ward, this Catholic church has a long and storied history. It began in 1899 as a wooden Gothic-style chapel built for the École Française des Dames de Saint-Maur. In 1900, it became the chapel of the Sekiguchi Parish, and by 1920, it was elevated to serve as the Cathedral of Tokyo.

The original chapel, which featured tatami mats, was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II. The current structure was completed in 1964 with the support of the Archdiocese of Cologne, Germany. Designed by the world-renowned architect Kenzo Tange, the cathedral features distinctive curved walls that, when viewed from above, form the silhouette of a cross.

Inside, the cathedral is an awe-inspiring space with no columns and a soaring ceiling that reaches approximately 40 meters at its highest point. It houses notable treasures such as a bust of St. Francis Xavier and relics of Pope John Paul II, both gifts from the Cologne Archdiocese.

At the back of the cathedral stands the largest pipe organ in any church in Japan. The cathedral’s hard walls and vast interior create outstanding acoustics, making it a popular venue for concerts. Many couples also choose this dramatic setting for their weddings.
The grounds feature a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes, faithfully recreated to represent the cave where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.