A Gothic Cathedral in Exposed Concrete
The Nagoya Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (名古屋カテドラル聖ペトロ聖パウロ大聖堂) is the 1961 church of the Catholic Nunoike Church in Aoi, Higashi Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, and it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on August 4, 2015, under registration number 23-0423.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a steel-framed reinforced concrete building, single storey with part two storeys and one basement level, with a copper roof, a building area of 928 square metres, towers and stairs. According to Aichi Prefecture's tourism site, it is the cathedral of the Diocese of Nagoya, the central church for Aichi, Gifu, Ishikawa, Fukui and Toyama prefectures.
Why It Was Registered
The cathedral was registered in 2015 as a model of design. According to the Agency, it is a steel-framed reinforced concrete church in the city centre, Gothic in style with exposed concrete walls and twin towers crowned by openwork spires.
Inside, pointed arches spring along the lines of the columns, and buttresses outside create a tall, column-free space that, with the exposed roof structure overhead, emphasises a sense of soaring height (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Realising the traditional Gothic style in postwar steel-framed reinforced concrete is the heart of its value.
What to Look For
Outside, look at the twin spires, their openwork patterns rising above the city and announcing a Gothic church from afar.
According to the Aichi tourism site, the cathedral is surrounded on all sides by stained glass. It is also designated an important urban landscape building by Nagoya City and is popular as a wedding venue.
Visiting
According to Aichi Prefecture's tourism site, the gates open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m., and there is parking. It is 10 minutes on foot from Kurumamichi Station on the Sakura-dori subway line, Shinsakae or Chikusa stations on the Higashiyama line, or JR Chikusa Station. The address is 1-12-23 Aoi, Higashi Ward, Nagoya (052-935-6305).
The cathedral is a place of worship, and it may not be possible to look around during Mass or weddings. Follow the church's guidance when visiting.
Q&A
- When was Nagoya Cathedral built?
- In 1961, according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
- When was it registered as a cultural property?
- On August 4, 2015, as registration number 23-0423.
- What is distinctive about its architecture?
- Gothic in style with exposed concrete walls and twin openwork spires, and a tall column-free interior with pointed arches and buttresses.
- What kind of church is it?
- The cathedral of the Diocese of Nagoya, the central church for Aichi, Gifu, Ishikawa, Fukui and Toyama.
- Can I visit the cathedral?
- The gates are open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; visits may not be possible during Mass or weddings.
Basic Information
| Name | Nagoya Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (名古屋カテドラル聖ペトロ聖パウロ大聖堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-12-23 Aoi, Higashi Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture (Catholic Nunoike Church) |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2015/8/4 (Heisei 27), registration no. 23-0423 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Steel-framed reinforced concrete, single storey with part 2 storeys and 1 basement, copper roof, building area 928 square metres |
| Owner | Catholic Diocese of Nagoya |
| Public Access | Gates open 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (except during Mass and weddings) |
References
- 名古屋カテドラル聖ペトロ聖パウロ大聖堂 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00010606
- Catholic Nunoike Church (Aichi Now, Aichi Prefecture tourism)
- https://aichinow.pref.aichi.jp/spots/detail/948/
Last verified: 2026.10.05