Former Nokubi Church

Former Nokubi Church occupies a solitary and striking position on a hilltop on Nozaki Island, overlooking a landscape that has largely returned to its natural state. The church’s history is inextricably linked to the seventeen Hidden Christian households who settled this rugged terrain in the 19th century, enduring extreme isolation to maintain their spiritual identity. Completed in 1908, the structure represents a landmark achievement in Japanese architectural history: it was the first brick church designed and constructed by the master architect Yosuke Tetsukawa, marking the technological transition from traditional timber frames to permanent masonry.

The cathedral is celebrated for its sophisticated proportions and the precision of its brickwork, which has survived the harsh maritime elements for over a century. The interior features a refined rib-vaulted ceiling and detailed brick arches that create a sense of grandeur disproportionate to the small size of the original congregation. Following the eventual depopulation of the island, the building faced a period of decline. However, a significant restoration effort led by Ojika Town in 1985 ensured the preservation of its structural and aesthetic integrity.

Now a component of the UNESCO World Heritage “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region”, the church serves as a silent guardian over the now-uninhabited village. It offers visitors a profound sense of “remoteness”, standing as an authoritative testament to a community that prioritized the construction of a permanent sanctuary above their own material comforts.