Japan Episcopal Church Nara Christian Church

A Church in the Guise of a Temple: The Unique Story of Nara Christ Church

Nestled beside the ancient grounds of Kōfuku-ji Temple in the heart of Nara, the Nippon Sei Ko Kai Nara Christ Church (日本聖公会奈良基督教会) is one of Japan's most extraordinary religious buildings. At first glance, visitors might mistake it for a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine — its gracefully curving tiled roof, wooden lattice transoms, and coffered ceilings are unmistakably Japanese. Yet step inside, and you will discover a fully functioning Anglican church complete with a nave, side aisles, altar, and a magnificent German pipe organ. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2015, this remarkable building stands as a testament to the creative fusion of Eastern architectural traditions with Western liturgical requirements.

Historical Background

The origins of the Nara Christ Church trace back to 1885, when Japanese believers and American Episcopal missionary John McKim initiated evangelistic work in Nara. Two years later, in 1887, the church was formally established in the Hanashiba-chō neighborhood near the current site. As the congregation grew, the church acquired a large plot of land on Noboriōji-chō in 1909, laying the groundwork for a permanent home.

By the 1920s, plans for a new church building gained momentum. In 1921, the Episcopal Church in the United States selected Nara as one of five locations worldwide for the construction of a centennial memorial church. However, the project faced a unique challenge: the local authorities would not permit Western-style architecture near Nara Park, where ancient temples and shrines defined the landscape. The solution was bold and unprecedented — to build an entirely Japanese-style Christian church.

The cornerstone was laid in July 1928. Master carpenter Ōki Kichitarō, a parishioner who had extensive experience restoring ancient shrines and temples across Nara Prefecture, was entrusted with the design and construction. Carefully selected 150- to 200-year-old cypress trees were felled in the forests of Yoshino for the project. The adjoining hall (later used as the Shin'ai Kindergarten) was completed in December 1929, and the main chapel was consecrated in April 1930.

Why It Was Designated an Important Cultural Property

The Nara Christ Church received its Important Cultural Property designation on July 8, 2015, following earlier recognition as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 1997 and a Nara Prefecture Designated Cultural Property earlier in 2015. The designation encompasses the chapel (including a connecting corridor), the Shin'ai Kindergarten building, 45 pieces of original church furniture, and 147 architectural drawings.

The designation recognizes the building as a masterwork of early Shōwa-era modern Japanese-style architecture. Despite being a Christian house of worship, it is composed entirely of traditional Japanese design elements — a remarkable achievement that demonstrates how classical architectural vocabulary can be adapted to serve entirely different liturgical needs. The expert integration of motifs drawn from ancient temple and shrine architecture, the superb balance of proportions, and the refined detailing throughout the building all contribute to its outstanding artistic value.

Architectural Highlights and Attractions

The chapel follows the Western basilica plan with a three-aisled layout, yet every visible element speaks the language of Japanese traditional architecture. The gently sloping roof covered with Japanese san-gawara tiles creates an elegant, expansive silhouette that harmonizes perfectly with the surrounding historic landscape. Inside, a small-grid coffered ceiling (kogumi gōtenjō) stretches overhead, while diamond-pattern lattice transoms (hishi-gōshi ranma) filter soft light between the aisles — details borrowed from the finest shrine and temple carpentry.

The columns in the nave are square, while those in the inner sanctuary are round, reflecting the traditional hierarchy in Japanese architecture where circular columns denote higher status. The building spans approximately 27.5 meters in length and 17.7 meters at its widest, with a total floor area of 343.61 square meters.

A striking feature is the German pipe organ built by Werner Bosch of Germany and installed in 1987 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the parish. With 18 stops and 1,200 pipes, the organ was crafted using Western pine to complement the wooden interior. Alongside it sits an antique American reed organ manufactured by the Kimball Company in 1870, adding historical depth to the musical heritage of the church.

The colorful reredos behind the altar — a series of multicolored panels — provides a vivid focal point against the warm tones of polished wood throughout the interior. The overall effect is an atmosphere of serene dignity that feels simultaneously Japanese and unmistakably sacred in the Christian tradition.

The Master Carpenter: Ōki Kichitarō

Ōki Kichitarō (1887–1971) was born into a family of official carpenters serving the Kōriyama domain. After studying in Tokyo and working on major projects including the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi building and post-earthquake restoration of temples and shrines following the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923, he returned to Nara and became a renowned master carpenter (miyaku). His deep knowledge of traditional construction techniques, gained through years of restoring important ancient buildings, enabled him to create a church that is both architecturally authentic in its Japanese expression and functionally complete as a Christian place of worship. He also designed several other notable buildings, including the Momoyama Christ Church in Kyoto and the Obama St. Luke's Church in Fukui Prefecture.

Visiting the Church

The Nara Christ Church is conveniently located in central Nara, accessible from the Higashimuki Shopping Street via a short flight of stone steps. It is approximately a two-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station (exits 2 or 3) and about fifteen minutes on foot from JR Nara Station. The church is an active parish of the Anglican Church in Japan (Nippon Sei Ko Kai), and visitors are welcome. The interior is generally open for viewing on Saturday and Sunday afternoons when the kindergarten is not in session, though hours may vary around holidays and special events such as Christmas services. There is no dedicated parking lot, so public transportation is recommended.

Surrounding Attractions

The church's location places it at the crossroads of some of Nara's most celebrated landmarks. Immediately to the east stands Kōfuku-ji Temple, whose five-story pagoda is an iconic symbol of the city. The graceful three-story pagoda (a National Treasure) can be viewed from the kindergarten grounds. A short stroll leads to Nara Park, where friendly deer roam freely, and to the grand Tōdai-ji Temple, home of the Great Buddha. The Kasuga-taisha Shrine, famous for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns, is also within easy walking distance. The Higashimuki Shopping Street below the church offers a pleasant selection of restaurants, souvenir shops, and cafés, making the church a natural stop on any walking tour of central Nara.