Kashiragashima Cathedral

Kashiragashima Cathedral stands as a singular architectural achievement in Shinkamigoto, being one of the very few stone churches found in Japan. The island of Kashiragashima has a profound history. Nearly its entire population were Christians who were forced to flee during the “Goto Collapse” persecution. Upon their return, the community dedicated themselves to building a permanent sanctuary. Designed and constructed by the master builder Yosuke Tetsukawa, the cathedral was completed in 1919 using sandstone quarried directly from the island, a process that took over a decade due to the manual labor provided by the parishioners themselves.

The cathedral is celebrated for its robust Romanesque exterior, which contrasts beautifully with a surprisingly delicate and floral interior. The heavy stone blocks give the building a fortress-like appearance, symbolizing the enduring faith of the returnees, while the inside features a wooden rib-vaulted ceiling adorned with camellia motifs. As a key component of the UNESCO World Heritage “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region”, the church remains a powerful testament to a community that rebuilt its life and faith from the literal bedrock of their home.