Sanohara Church

Sanohara Catholic Church is a unique outlier in the religious landscape of the Goto Islands. While the vast majority of churches in the archipelago are perched on coastal cliffs or tucked into hidden inlets, Sanohara is located in a mountain village that does not face the sea. This inland setting provides a different atmosphere.

The church’s origins are deeply personal. For years, the head of a local family opened their private residence to serve as a “family hall” (Iemido) where the community could gather for prayer. As the congregation grew following World War II, this domestic space became insufficient. A temporary chapel was erected in 1950, followed by the construction of the current, full-scale church in 1963. Today, it remains a tranquil mission station (circuit church) under the pastoral care of Tainoura Church, continuing a legacy of faith that flourished in the heart of the mountains.