Spiritual Health

Here is a list of places of worship that is by no means comprehensive. Please ask people in your area for more information.

Please note, any listings on this page does not mean endorsement by the Kumamoto PAs nor the Kumamoto Prefecture JET Programme. The purpose of this page is to share information for JETs interested in places of spiritual health in Kumamoto/Japan.

JET Christian Fellowship (JCF) https://jetchristianfellowship.net/

Established in 1988, JCF is an association of individuals who share a common faith in Jesus Christ and/or a common interest in christianity. The primary aim of the group is to offer support to Christian JETs who are looking for community in Japan, both among other JETs and within local churches in their areas. Their activities include running weekly online bible studies, organising biannual Christian retreats and helping find churches for members to attend. 

Protestant Churches
Ozu Christian Church, Ozu Town
Sunday 10:00am – Japanese service with simultaneous English interpretation; tea and coffee, lunch after

Kumamoto Lutheran Church, downtown Kumamoto City
5:00pm – English Bible Study; 6:00pm – Non-denominational English Worship Service; tea and
fellowship after.

Takamori Christ Church, Nishihara Village
Service begins at 10 am
TEL: 0967-62-0214 Web: http://takamorichurch.sakura.ne.jp/

Catholic Churches
Tedori Church
Uedorimachi Kumamoto-city Kumamoto
Saturday 6pm (in Japanese)
Sunday 9am, 11:30pm (in Japanese)
First Sunday of every month, 11:30 – International Mass
TEL 096-352-3030

Minamata Church
Sakuraimachi Minamata-city Kumamoto
1st & 3rd Sunday 3:00 PM
TEL 0966-62-4286

Hondo Catholic Church
Ohamamachi Amakusa-city Kumamoto
Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 6am
Tuesday 6pm
Sunday 10am
TEL 0969-22-2758 Web: http://fukuoka.catholic.jp/hondoch.html

Baha’i
Kumamoto Baha’i Community
Regular events:Pancake Breakfast and Garden Party the 2nd Saturday of every month at 10 am.
Devotionals every Saturday at 9:30 to 10am
Games Night 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month from 6pm.
TEL: 096-235-6165

Islam
The Kumamoto Mosque and Islamic Centre is one of 3 Mosques in Kyushu (the other two being in Fukuoka and Oita). It is located very near Kumamoto University, with a large population of attendees students of Kumamoto University. In addtion to the regular prayers and activities, the Kumamoto Mosque also organizes various community events which are open to both Muslims and non- Muslims. There is also a halal shop near by, called Siswahyu halal food.

Kumamoto Mosque
熊本県 熊本市中央区黒髪5-5-2
5-5-2, Kurokami, Chuo-ku Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto
Kumamoto Mosque website: https://www.kumamotoislamiccenter.org/

Zen Buddhism

If you want to practice Zen Meditation in Kumamoto-ken, the following are foreigner friendly places.

Rinzai Zen

This is the main practice hall in Kumamoto-ken, however there are also places in Kumamoto City, Uto, Yatsushiro, Aso with meditation at various times.

Kumamoto Ningen Zen Doujo, 798-1 Miyoshi, Koushi-shi
Sitting meditation every morning at 5:30am
Sitting meditation and reading every Tuesday 7:30pm
TEL: 096-242-0263 (in Japanese)
Email:[email protected] (in English)

Soto Zen
Jokokuji Temple
2-20-35 Takahira, Kumamoto-shi 860-0085
Sitting meditation, each Thursday night at 8pm

Daijizenji Temple
Kawashiri
Sitting meditation on the 3rd Sunday each month, at 10am
TEL: 096-344-7603

Zazen
Zazen is a meditative discipline performed to calm the body and mind and experience insight into the nature of existence. While the term originally referred to a sitting practice, it is now commonly used to refer to practices in any posture—try it at your desk. Alternatively, visit any of the locations listed below. It is recommended that you learn the basics of Zazen before showing up, or take a Japanese speaker to the lecture given at the temple before you start to avoid being beaten on your shoulders with a stick during the session http://global.sotozen-net.or.jp/