While Tokyo has its famous Meiji Shrine and Asakusa Senjoji Temple, I’ve yet to visit a “famous” church there. I stumble upon a church with architectural value which is worth visiting during my next trip there. Check out JAPANTWO Blog » St. Mary’s Cathedral, Tokyo for a detailed writeup.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Tokyo is located in Bunkyo ward, Tokyo.
Tange Kenzo, who worked on Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, designed the cathedral that stands today.
The cathedral was completed in the same year when Tokyo Olympic was held, in 1964. The motif is the Ten Commandments and a moving tent that Jewish used.
Using the latest technology back then, the cathedral became famous for a modern architecture church. The building has a unique style that it is hard to believe that it was built 40 years ago. From a bird’s-eyeview, the building is in a cross shape.
Warm sunlight shines from the slit behind the cross on an altar into the dark interior.
The slits rise up and intercross at the top, drawing a cross above. There is a top light there, giving out soft light.
The cathedral is constructed with eight layers of concrete shells and the highest point is 40m high.
The solemn atmosphere is created where the light and the dark creates a harmony of contrast with rising space, lights pouring in, elegant nave connecting the pipe organ and altar, and the aisles embracing the light is beautiful.
There are no columns inside the cathedral, creating a one huge open space inside. 7 seconds of echo (when the seats are empty). This special sound effect is similar to those stone churches during the Renaissance and Baroque style and large cathedral in Europe also have the equal quality of echoes. Normal concert halls such as Suntory Hall have only echoes of 2 seconds so the difference is significant. There is one of the largest pipe organ in Japan and its sound echoes through the building like a trumpet, staying close to the song and to the prayers.
The pipe organ is constructed by several ten thousands parts.
There are 3 levels of keyboard in the middle, 1 level for the feet. The console have total of 204 keys. Furthermore, there are knobs on both sides. They are called stop and have 46 of them. There is a switch on the third keyboard to memorize the stop. This pipe organ also has a unique sound mimicking the sound of birds chirping.
Since this pipe organ is made of wood, the air is always under control, adjusting the humidity when necessary. Also, since the wood is from Milano, Italy, the temperature and humidity is adjusted to match the weather there.
Address:〒112-0014 3-16-15 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Hours:9:00~17:00 (12:00~13:00 closed)
Access:From JR Yamanote Line Mejiro Station, ride a bus heading Shinjuku Station Nishiguchi from No.5 bus terminal and get off at Chinzanso Stop.
15 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Edogawabashi Station exit 1a, 1b
URL:http://www.tokyo.catholic.jp/text/cathedral/katedoraltoha.htm
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