The Orthodox Church of Hakodate

Thanks to its location, the island of Hokkaido is the ideal bridge between Russia and Japan. As a sign of this proximity, the oldest Orthodox church of the archipelago has been adorning the city with its Byzantine characteristics for 150 years. The Oldest Orthodox Church in Japan After Admiral Perry’s expeditions in 1853 and 1854, Japan had to abandon its policy of closure vis-à-vis foreign countries. The opening of the