St. Mary's Cathedral, Tokyo

St. Mary’s Cathedral stands in Sekiguchi, Bunkyo City, in a modern design by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. Completed in 1964, it has a reflective steel exterior and curved forms that rise above the surrounding streets. Inside, look for the large Mascioni pipe organ, a modern baptistery and displays of religious relics. The grounds also include a Lourdes grotto. The quiet setting suits a pause for prayer or a closer look at the building’s architecture; it is an active Catholic cathedral, so follow any directions posted inside.

Kenzo Tange’s cathedral

Completed in 1964, St. Mary’s Cathedral was designed by architect Kenzo Tange and replaced an earlier wooden cathedral that had been destroyed during the war. Its exterior is clad in reflective stainless steel, with tall, curved forms that give the building a different profile from a traditional church. The design uses sweeping lines instead of rows of repeated geometric shapes.

The cathedral’s roof and plan also connect the building to Christian symbolism. From above, the roof’s glass apex forms a cross. Inside, the nave is laid out in the shape of a cross, with daylight entering through a skylight and spreading across the curved walls. The changing light gives the interior a different feel as the day goes on.

Details inside the cathedral

The interior is spare in its decoration, directing attention to the space, light and religious objects. A large pipe organ made by Mascioni is one of its prominent features. The building also has a modern baptistery and displays relics associated with saints, including St. Francis Xavier, St. Faustina Kowalska and Pope John Paul II. A Pietà is among the religious artworks inside.

The cathedral includes a basement chapel where Mass is held in Japanese. Because the building remains an active place of worship, visitors should respect any service in progress and follow signs about photography. The atmosphere is quiet, and the simple interior gives visitors room to pray or sit in silence.