長沢崇史 (Takafumi Nagasawa) is a Japanese pastor and worship singer from Hokkaido. A 2007 graduate of the Kansai Bible Seminary, he leads Canaan Praise Church in Sapporo and writes worship songs in Japanese that have spread to congregations beyond Japan.
Originally from Hokkaido, Takafumi Nagasawa began writing hymns as early as elementary school, influenced by his older sister. He continued his training at the Kansai Bible Seminary, graduating in 2007, before launching several youth ministries, including the "Growing Up" program, and becoming a worship leader in many settings.
Today he is the senior pastor of Canaan Praise Church in Sapporo and director of the Canaan House of Prayer, a place where prayer continues around the clock. Married with five children, he is also an ambassador artist for World Vision Japan and director of the River Worship School, a training school for worship.
- Origin
- Hokkaido, Japan (based in Sapporo)
- Style
- Contemporary worship
- Active since
- 2007 (graduation from the Kansai Bible Seminary)
- Good to know
- Senior pastor of Canaan Praise Church, director of the Canaan House of Prayer (CHOP) and of the River Worship School
How did Takafumi Nagasawa get started?
It was his older sister who gave him a love for writing worship songs, as early as elementary school. This early passion led him to the Kansai Bible Seminary, where he trained for pastoral ministry, before launching several initiatives aimed at young Japanese Christians.
After his studies, he took on worship leadership roles in various settings, wrote many songs, and took part in producing several albums, eventually becoming a well known figure on the Japanese evangelical worship scene.
What makes Takafumi Nagasawa distinctive?
Nagasawa says he has traveled across Japan's 47 prefectures to build a network of young believers and share the gospel. What sets him apart is taking worship outside the walls of the church: he performs in live houses, cafes, train stations, on the street, in schools, and even in hospitals. He also founded a house of prayer in Sapporo where worship continues twenty-four hours a day, all year round.
Where should you start with Takafumi Nagasawa?
His official YouTube channel gives access to his latest videos, including "Star" and "この希望を歌おう" (let's sing this hope), as well as collaborations with other Asian worship artists. His recent albums, "RETURN" (2023) and "いのち" (2019, with his band), are good starting points into his catalog.
songs
Star
Official video for one of his most pop leaning songs, also available in a piano version, about the hope that remains in darkness.
この希望を歌おう
A worship song about hope in Christ, one of his most recent releases available on streaming platforms.
血潮
A duet with Korean worship singer Kim Do-hyun (김도현), illustrating the bridges between the Japanese and Korean worship scenes.
Discography
- 2025BREATH OPEN GATE
- 2023RETURN
- 2019いのち· Recorded with his band, the "special band"
- 2018主の教会 OPEN GATE
- 2017都/旗· Double CD released with Canaan House of Prayer
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Takafumi Nagasawa?
Takafumi Nagasawa (長沢崇史) is a Japanese pastor and worship singer from Hokkaido. He leads Canaan Praise Church in Sapporo and has been writing worship songs in Japanese since the late 2000s.
Does Nagasawa sing in Japanese?
Yes, most of his catalog is in Japanese, though he has also collaborated with Korean artists like Kim Do-hyun on shared songs.
What is Takafumi Nagasawa's most famous song?
"Star" is among his most streamed recent songs, alongside "この希望を歌おう" (let's sing this hope), both released as official videos on his YouTube channel.
Is Takafumi Nagasawa a pastor?
Yes. He is the senior pastor of Canaan Praise Church in Sapporo and also leads a continuous house of prayer, the Canaan House of Prayer, as well as a worship training school.
Where can you listen to Takafumi Nagasawa?
His official YouTube channel and his website taka-worship.com bring together his videos, albums, and news about his worship ministry.
Is Nagasawa known outside Japan?
His songs have reached beyond Japan through his collaborations with worship artists from other Asian countries and his role as an ambassador artist for World Vision Japan.