Akanamie Church

Akanamie Catholic Church is a modest and beautifully situated house of prayer that clings to a sharp incline overlooking the vast Goto-nada Sea. The church is located in a remote mountain hamlet that has historically been home to only a handful of families. Despite its small size, Akanamie holds immense historical significance as a “missionary cradle”. In the 1870s, it was the residence of three pivotal local figures who worked tirelessly to spread and revitalize the Catholic faith throughout the surrounding northern settlements.

The first chapel was established here in 1884, serving as a vital center for the community’s spiritual life. The current building, which features a distinctive vivid red roof (sometimes described as a warm orange-red) and a simple white exterior, was completed in 1971. Because of its position on a steep slope, the church is a striking sight when viewed from the road toward Tsuwazaki, appearing as a bright splash of color against the deep greens of the mountain forest and the blue of the sea.