Constructed in 1932, the Catholic Matsugamine Church is the oldest and largest surviving building made of Ohya-ishi (Ohya Stone). The designer was Swiss architect Max Hinder who lived in Japan for 16 years. He was also designed Sophia University and St. Mary Hospital in Tokyo. This church looks soft and elegant. A frog decoration near the tower works as a drainage spout when it rains. During typhoons, rainwater flows out from a mouth of the frog as if it were a waterfall. The inside of the church is even more beautiful. The pillars and inner sanctuary are finished with Ohya Stone, creating a full, warm feeling.
- 1 min read
Utsunomiya’s Matsugamine Church
A beautiful place of worship constructed in 1932
Join the discussion
Thank you bonbon and Mary. When I visited this church, I was touched and moved by its beauty and (perhaps) integrity.
Mary Kawai
11 years ago
How beautiful! Thank you for telling us about this place.
Bonson Lam
11 years ago
Wow! This looks like the South of France in the Japanese Countryside!
Top Articles
-
![Valley of Witches: a New Ghibli Park Attraction]( "Valley of Witches: a New Ghibli Park Attraction")
1Valley of Witches: a New Ghibli Park Attraction
Aichi -
![Kurobe Unazuki Canyon Route to Link with Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route]( "Kurobe Unazuki Canyon Route to Link with Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route")
2Kurobe Unazuki Canyon Route to Link with Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
News -
![Mount Omuro]( "Mount Omuro")
3Mount Omuro
Shizuoka -
![2024 Grand Sumo Tournaments]( "2024 Grand Sumo Tournaments")
42024 Grand Sumo Tournaments
Culture -
![Sapporo Beer Opens New Brewery in Tokyo’s Ebisu]( "Sapporo Beer Opens New Brewery in Tokyo’s Ebisu")
5Sapporo Beer Opens New Brewery in Tokyo’s Ebisu
News -
![2-Day Hachijojima Retreat: Recharge Your Mind and Body]( "2-Day Hachijojima Retreat: Recharge Your Mind and Body")
62-Day Hachijojima Retreat: Recharge Your Mind and Body
Tokyo - Sponsored -
![Tokyo Takes 2nd Place on Top Coffee Cities List]( "Tokyo Takes 2nd Place on Top Coffee Cities List")
7Tokyo Takes 2nd Place on Top Coffee Cities List
Food -
![Tokyo One of the World's Most Walkable Cities]( "Tokyo One of the World's Most Walkable Cities")
8Tokyo One of the World's Most Walkable Cities
Transportation -
![Yuranza]( "Yuranza")
9Yuranza
Culture - Sponsored -
![Extraordinary Experiences in the Great Nature of Izu-Oshima, the Closest Island From Central Tokyo]( "Extraordinary Experiences in the Great Nature of Izu-Oshima, the Closest Island From Central Tokyo")
10Extraordinary Experiences in the Great Nature of Izu-Oshima, the Closest Island From Central Tokyo
Tokyo - Sponsored
-
![Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan]( "Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan")
1Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
![Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo]( "Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo")
2Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
![Hachiko Statue in Shibuya]( "Hachiko Statue in Shibuya")
3Hachiko Statue in Shibuya
Tokyo -
![Iwatayama Monkey Park]( "Iwatayama Monkey Park")
4Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
![Shibuya Crossing]( "Shibuya Crossing")
5Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo -
![Daikoku Car Meet]( "Daikoku Car Meet")
6Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
![Kanamara Penis Festival]( "Kanamara Penis Festival")
7Kanamara Penis Festival
Kanagawa -
![Guide to Suica Cards]( "Guide to Suica Cards")
8Guide to Suica Cards
Transportation -
![Guide to PASMO Cards]( "Guide to PASMO Cards")
9Guide to PASMO Cards
Guide -
![Japanese Urban Legends]( "Japanese Urban Legends")
10Japanese Urban Legends
Culture
