Karuizawa St. Paul’s Catholic Church is a historic Catholic church and chapel in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Set among the forests of the resort town, the beautiful wooden church blends naturally with its surroundings and is regarded as one of Karuizawa’s notable historic buildings.
The church belongs to the Diocese of Yokohama and is officially known as Karuizawa Catholic Church. Its distinctive architecture, literary connections, and role in the development of Christian-style weddings in Japan have made it an important part of Karuizawa’s cultural heritage.
The church was founded in 1935 by Father Leo Paul Ward, a British Catholic priest. Father Ward came to Karuizawa at the invitation of architect Antonin Raymond and was captivated by the town’s beautiful natural environment and the warmth of its people.
At first, Mass was held in the lounge of the Karuizawa Hotel. As the number of worshippers rapidly increased, Father Ward decided that a dedicated church was needed.
For the construction, skilled miyadaiku temple and shrine carpenters from Nikko were brought in, and the church was completed in approximately six months.
George Nakashima, who would later become internationally renowned as a furniture designer, also took part in the design and furniture production. Much of the construction cost was reportedly paid by Father Ward himself, while the Karuizawa Hotel is said to have provided accommodation for him without charge.
The exterior is characterized by a steeply pitched triangular roof and a large pointed tower. Its exposed concrete walls give the building a distinctive appearance, while its setting among the trees creates a striking harmony between architecture and nature.
Inside, the exposed wooden structure forms a distinctive X-shaped truss system. The combination of visible timber and strong structural lines gives the chapel both warmth and a sense of strength.
This unusual architectural design was created by Antonin Raymond, one of the architects who played an important role in introducing modern architecture to Japan. In 2003, the church was selected by DOCOMOMO Japan as part of its list of Japanese Modern Movement Architecture, recognizing its architectural significance.
Karuizawa St. Paul’s Catholic Church has also left a strong impression on Japanese literature. In his essay “The Wooden Cross,” first published in 1940, writer Tatsuo Hori described the church as a simple wooden building with an understated beauty reminiscent of a church in a remote Swiss village.
Hori also depicted a Polish girl praying for her homeland in the church shortly after the invasion of Poland, reflecting the atmosphere of uncertainty that surrounded Europe at the time.
The church also appears in works by several major Japanese writers. It is associated with Tatsuo Hori’s “The Wind Rises,” Yasunari Kawabata’s “Palm-of-the-Hand Stories,” and Shusaku Endo’s “The House of Roses.”
These literary connections reveal how deeply the church and the landscape of Karuizawa inspired writers who came to the resort town seeking its peaceful atmosphere and distinctive natural beauty.
Karuizawa St. Paul’s Catholic Church also played an important role in the spread of Christian-style weddings in Japan.
In the 1960s, the church began opening its doors to non-Christians as part of an effort to introduce Catholicism to a wider audience. It began accepting wedding ceremonies for the general public, and the church soon attracted considerable attention as celebrities began choosing it as their wedding venue.
In 1972, singers and actors Teruhiko Saigo and Mari Henmi held their wedding ceremony at the church. The ceremony was broadcast nationwide on television, helping establish the image of Karuizawa as a romantic wedding destination.
Other notable figures who held wedding ceremonies at the church included Yayushi Akutagawa, Ryuzo Hayashi, Kayoko Moriyama, and Takuro Yoshida and Keiko Shikaku.
As the popularity of these ceremonies grew, churches across Japan increasingly began accepting couples who were not Christian, provided that they completed a marriage preparation course. This helped Christian-style weddings spread rapidly throughout Japan.
Located close to the historic Old Karuizawa area, the church is easy to visit as part of a walking tour of the town. It is approximately a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Shinano Railway, and is also within easy reach of Old Karuizawa Ginza.
Surrounded by trees and filled with a quiet sense of reverence, the church offers a peaceful contrast to the lively streets of the resort town.
Karuizawa St. Paul’s Catholic Church is much more than a beautiful historic chapel. Its story connects architecture, religion, literature, international exchange, and the development of wedding culture in modern Japan.
The graceful wooden structure, designed to harmonize with the surrounding forest, reflects the unique character of Karuizawa itself. For visitors interested in the town’s cultural history, architecture, or literary heritage, the church offers a memorable glimpse into the many layers of Karuizawa’s past.
Even today, its tranquil forest setting and distinctive architecture continue to inspire visitors, making it one of the most beloved historic landmarks in Karuizawa.