Hakodate Orthodox Church

Founded as a chapel in 1859 in the city of Hakodate on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. It is Japan's oldest Russian Orthodox Church and has been designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

When the port of Hakodate was opened to the world near the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, new cultures arrived and a number of churches and monasteries were built in the city. The early Christian missionaries struggled in a predominantly Shinto and Buddhist land, but many of the buildings they built still stand today as a splendid cultural landmark. .

Hakodate Orthodox Church is one of the city's most famous historical structures. In 1907 the church burned down in a fire, but rebuilt in 1916, the people of Hakodate affectionately called the church Gangan-dera (Ding-dong Temple) because of the distinctive sound of the church bells. , visitors can hear its bells on weekends and special occasions.

The exterior design of the building, is in the Russian Byzantine style with varied elements. The white walls create a beautiful contrast with the green roof, giving an atmosphere of majesty and elegance. The main body of the church is a square pavilion with a porch and vestibule in front and an alternative house at the back, outside the veranda with an octagonal bell tower.

Hours of Operation:

• Weekdays / Saturdays: 10:00 - 16:00
• Sunday: 13:00 - 16:00

Entrance fee: 200 (donation)