Oe Church
大江天主堂
A white Romanesque church on a hill, built in 1933 with private funds from French missionary Father Garnier. It is a signature landmark of Amakusa.
Oe Church stands on a small hill in the Oe settlement. Its white-walled, domed Romanesque Revival design stands out vividly against the blue sky, making it the most photogenic building in western Amakusa Shimoshima. Father Garnier, who spent more than 50 years preaching in Amakusa, built the church together with his congregation, and a statue and grave of the priest stand beside it. Admission is free. Photography inside is prohibited, and visitors should not enter during religious services. The Amakusa Rosario Museum is at the foot of the hill and can be visited too. It is about 20 minutes’ drive from Sakitsu, so it pairs well with Sakitsu for a half-day “Two Churches of Amakusa” route.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00 (closed to visitors during religious services)
Nearby sights
- Amakusa Rosario Museum
- Sakitsu Church & Village
- Jusanbutsu Park
- Myokenura
- Shimoda Onsen (Amakusa)
- Amakusa Collegio Museum
- Ushibuka Haiya Bridge
- Tomioka Castle Ruins