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The groundbreaking of the Okinawa Japan Temple was presided over by Elder Takashi Wada, president of the Asia North Area, on Dec. 5, 2020. Only a small group of people were in attendance because of the local government’s COVID-19 safety restrictions.
In his prayer to dedicate the site, spoken in Japanese, Elder Wada said, “Please watch over the people on this island; may all be inspired by thy spirit and recognize the eternal significance of this sacred project. ... May the inspiring vista bless the entire community, including those not of our faith, and become a cherished landmark for all who live or visit here.”
President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple for Okinawa City, Okinawa, on April 7, 2019, during April 2019 general conference.
The temple’s groundbreaking ceremony was held Dec. 5, 2020, with Elder Takashi Wada, Asia North Area president, presiding.
The Church held a public open house for the Okinawa temple from Sept. 23 to Oct. 7, 2023. A media day was also held Sept. 21, and a private open house for invited guests was held Sept. 22.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the Okinawa Japan Temple on Nov. 12, 2023, during two sessions.
The Okinawa temple was announced April 7, 2019, by President Russell M. Nelson. The groundbreaking and site dedication were held on Dec. 5, 2020, and presided over by Elder Takashi Wada, president of the Asia North Area.
After an open house from Sept. 23 to Oct. 7, 2023, the Okinawa temple will be dedicated by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Nov. 12, 2023.
The Okinawa Japan Temple is a two-story building of 12,437 square feet. The structure consists of reinforced concrete with an exterior of Sunset Gold Chinese granite from Wenshang, Shandong Province. Atop the temple and toward the front is a tall tower with a square base and a long, arched window on each side.
Throughout the interior are floral designs inspired by the annual blossoming of trees in Okinawa. Flooring includes a combination of porcelain tiles, Branco do Mar limestone from Portugal, and Dekton Sasea ceramic tiles, as well as area rugs. An origami-inspired stair hall connects the building’s levels, with the second floor folding down to the first floor, making it appear to float from the adjacent wall.
Plants native to the region adorn the 0.55-acre site, including fountain palms, sago palms and Chinese hibiscus. Behind the temple is a Japanese rock garden. A waiting area for temple patrons was also added to an adjacent existing meetinghouse completed in 2013.
7 April 2019
12 November 2023
7-11-32, Matsumoto
Okinawa-shi, Okinawa-ken
Japan
This will be the fourth Latter-day Saint temple in the country of Japan and the first temple on the island chain of Okinawa.
It will be both the southernmost and westernmost temple in Japan.
The Okinawa Japan and Cobán Guatemala temples were announced in the same year, and renderings for each temple were released together on the same day.
This will be the fourth Latter-day Saint temple in the country of Japan and the first temple on the island chain of Okinawa.
It will be both the southernmost and westernmost temple in Japan.
The Okinawa Japan and Cobán Guatemala temples were announced in the same year, and renderings for each temple were released together on the same day.
