St Marys Cathedral Tokyo
Rate this: Use the stars above to vote, five stars being the highest rating.
Location:
Show on map
3-15-16 Sekiguchi
Tokyo
Bunkyo-ku 112-0014
Japan
coordinates:
35.7142906 139.7265472
Building names(s): St Marys Cathedral Tokyo
Architect/Designer: Kenzo Tange
Images: add an image <== click HereOther Information:
Completion date: 1964
Function:
getting there:Subways: Yurakucho Line: Get off at Gokokuji (exit A6), or at Edogawabashi (exit 1A) 10 min. walk to the Cathedral.
Rail: JR Yamanote line. Get off at Mejiro Station, then take the bus n.61 in front of Mitsui Bank, to Chinzan-so (in front of the Cathedral)
Last modified: 2 September, 2010 | Suggested By LT

(5 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5)
(18 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Saint Mary’s Cathedral was built in 1964, the same year as Yoyogi Gymnasium. It’s a far cry from your usual cod-classical house of prayer: the dome is straight out of tomorrow-land, a manifestation of Tange’s futuristic visions—both spiritual and architectural. The bare concrete walls inside shimmer with a mystical light that pours in from behind the crucifix above the altar. Viewed from above, eight massive stainless steel wings converge to form a huge cross. Seen from the front, however, the building appears like an enormous bird with open wings, ready for takeoff. Fittingly, Tange’s own funeral was held here in 2005.