Numazu is a port city in Shizuoka Prefecture, on Suruga Bay. Evangelical Christian presence there dates back to 1939, when the 沼津基督宣教会 was founded in the wake of the revival movement led in Tokyo by pastor Tsuguo Tsutada. That congregation later joined the シオン・キリスト教団 (Zion Christian Church), a Wesleyan holiness evangelical denomination founded in 1934 in Kamata by Aiji Kishida and a member of the Japan Evangelical Association (JEA) and the Japan Holiness Fellowship (JHA). In 2019, the congregation opened a local outpost, the インマヌエルチャペル (Immanuel Chapel), in the Imazawa district, a sign of a still active evangelical presence in the city.
This page covers 沼津シオン・キリスト教会, located at 杉崎町1-22 (410-0033), a short walk east of the north exit of Numazu Station, near the Kirameuse Numazu complex. The Sunday service is held at 10:30 am local time, led by pastor Masahiro Ogino together with his wife Mariko Ogino. The congregation regularly shares its messages on its blog and YouTube channel; Efficient Church summarizes a selection of its sermons here, always linking back to the original video.
Before visiting, it is worth checking the service time on the church's blog, since schedules can shift around holidays or special events. Numazu is an easy day trip by train from Tokyo or Shizuoka, and the church's proximity to the station makes it convenient for visitors passing through. Watching a sermon video beforehand is also a good way to get a feel for the congregation's style before a first visit.
Evangelical churches we cover in Numazu
Frequently asked questions
How many evangelical churches are listed for Numazu on Efficient Church?
At present, one evangelical church is listed for Numazu: 沼津シオン・キリスト教会, affiliated with the シオン・キリスト教団 (Zion Christian Church). This list will grow as our research continues.
What tradition does the church listed in Numazu belong to?
沼津シオン・キリスト教会 belongs to the シオン・キリスト教団 (Zion Christian Church), a Japanese Protestant denomination in the Wesleyan holiness evangelical tradition, a member of the Japan Evangelical Association (JEA) and the Japan Holiness Fellowship (JHA).
Can you attend a service without being a believer or without knowing Japan well?
Yes. Evangelical services in Japan are open to anyone curious or seeking, whether or not they hold a faith. It is recommended to arrive a little before the stated time and to remain respectful during the service; watching a sermon video beforehand also helps newcomers get a sense of how the service unfolds.