Okinawa Japan Temple
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Recent News Articles
- November 21, 2023 – Episode 163: Elder Gary E. Stevenson on the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace in a land once defined by war
- November 12, 2023 – Elder Stevenson Dedicates Okinawa Japan Temple
- November 12, 2023 – In a place once defined by war, Elder Stevenson dedicates the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace and unity
- November 12, 2023 – See photographs of the Okinawa Japan Temple dedication
- November 10, 2023 – Both lost family in WWII, now former stake presidents in Okinawa share their journey from sorrow to peace — and a temple
- November 9, 2023 – Early branch president in Okinawa, now 93, returns to Japan for dedication of the Okinawa temple
- September 21, 2023 – Public Invited to Tour the Okinawa Japan Temple
- September 20, 2023 – See the Japanese design influence in the new Okinawa temple as interior, exterior photos are released
- August 8, 2023 – Open house reservations available for Okinawa Japan Temple
News Stories
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Elder Stevenson Dedicates the Okinawa Japan Temple
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Okinawa Japan Temple on Sunday, November 12. The final battle of World War II, which took place in Okinawa, claimed the lives of 240,000 Japanese and U.S. servicemen and Okinawan civilians. Akira Yafuso, an early stake president in Okinawa, said: "I believe and I feel that this land of Okinawa is purified or sanctified by the blood of these ancestors and military personnel. And now it is so great to have a house of the Lord in Okinawa, to have a symbol of peace. We want to be the Lord's temple-loving people."
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Open House Begins for the Okinawa Japan Temple
A public open house for the Okinawa Japan Temple will be held daily from Saturday, September 23, through October 7, except Sundays. Elder Erich W. Kopischke of the Seventy addressed invited guests and journalists at a media event held today. The design derives from traditional Okinawan architecture. The arches over the windows are inspired by portals in traditional stone walls, like those at the Shurijo Castle, Nakagusuku Castle and Sogenji Temple. The decorative floral band that connects the arches alludes to the traditional karamon gate. The exterior stone is Sunset Gold Chinese granite from Wenshang, Shandong Province. The art glass design is inspired by Okinawan bingata stencils and patterns. Many native plants adorn the temple, such as fountain palms, sago palms and Chinese hibiscus.
Photo: Okinawa Japan Temple Facebook page
Preparing for the Open House of the Okinawa Japan Temple
Open house tents are going up at the Okinawa Japan Temple where open house committee members are busily working to make the final preparations. The open house will begin with a media event held on Thursday, September 21—one week from today. The public is warmly invited to tour this newly constructed house of the Lord from Saturday, September 23 through Saturday, October 7, 2023.
Photo: Paul Grant
Open House and Dedication Announced for the Okinawa Japan Temple
The public is invited to tour the newly completed Okinawa Japan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during an open house held from Saturday, September 23 through Saturday, October 7, 2023, with no tours held on Sundays. The temple will be dedicated by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in two sessions at 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Before the public portion of the open house, a media day will be held on Thursday, September 21, and invited guest tours will be held on Friday, September 22. The two-story, 10,000-square-foot temple stands on a half-acre site next a Church meetinghouse completed in 2013. The meetinghouse was enlarged to include a patron arrival center during the construction of the temple.
Photo: Caroline P Trowbridge
Okinawa Japan Temple Is All Aglow
The variegated hues in the stained-glass windows of the Okinawa Japan Temple pop against the dark blue evening skies. Interior lamps and light fixtures illuminate the windows from behind, bringing the vivid coloring to life. The temple is anticipated to serve the members who belong to the stake and district that are headquartered on the island. It is Japan's fourth temple.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Landscaping at the Okinawa Japan Temple Completed
The beautiful grounds of the Okinawa Japan Temple have been completed. Palm trees, flowers, and fresh mulch sit beside two-toned walkways and stone-clad landscape walls. Major construction of the temple has been completed, as has the arrival center addition to the meetinghouse. To help compensate for the loss of the overflow parking lot where the temple now stands, the meetinghouse parking lot has been extended.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Installing the Okinawa Japan Temple Monument Sign
The stone-clad monument sign for the Okinawa Japan Temple has been installed as a section of the ornamental fence that surrounds the building. Work continues on the inscription side, which is currently covered. Concrete work has been completed for the hardscape, and the number of plants and trees continues to grow. The temple has been under construction for just over two years.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Landscaping the Okinawa Japan Temple Grounds
Landscaping of the compact grounds around the Okinawa Japan Temple has begun. The green construction fence is being replaced with a black ornamental fence, and landscape walls and planters have been installed in front of the temple entrance. Newly planted trees are being staked to provide temporary support while root systems are established. In just six days, the temple will reach its two-year groundbreaking anniversary.
Photo: Kaori Shimabukuro Fong
Okinawa Japan Temple Brings Blessings to the Isles of the Sea
The remaining scaffolding has been removed from the steeple of the Okinawa Japan Temple, providing an unhindered view of the exquisite detailing of the building. Church members who live on Okinawa Island are looking forward with excitement to the completion of the temple. "Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea…?" (2 Nephi 29:7).
Photo: Peggy Moore
More Scaffolding Removed from the Okinawa Japan Temple
Additional scaffolding has been removed from the Okinawa Japan Temple, giving a better view of the temple's sharp lines and beautiful facade. Scaffolding remains around the base of the steeple and at the rear of the building. The temple has been under construction next to the Okinawa Ward meetinghouse for the past 20 months. The enchanting island of Okinawa has been called the Hawaii of Japan.
Photo: Kaori Shimabukuro Fong
Okinawa Japan Temple Steeple Unveiled
Scaffolding has been removed from the steeple of the Okinawa Japan Temple, providing a fine view of the elegant structure. An arched window and decorative medallion is featured on each wall of the steeple underneath a cast metal spire. Work continues on the front exterior wall where scaffolding remains. Flexible ducts can be seen entering the front of the building to support the interior finish work.
Photo: Peggy Moore
Revealing the Beauty of the Okinawa Japan Temple
Scaffolding is being removed from the exterior walls of the Okinawa Japan Temple, unveiling the exquisite beauty of the ornamented stone cladding, dark window panels and casings, and reflective window panes. The temple stands on the former overflow parking lot for the adjoining meetinghouse. Construction of the 10,000-square-foot building began a year and a half ago in December 2020.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Stone Cladding of the Okinawa Japan Temple Completed
All of the exterior surfaces of the Okinawa Japan Temple have been clad in stone. A beautifully patterned stone was used for the parapet and for two strips along the main walls. Scaffolding remains around the building for upcoming projects on the exterior including the installation of the decorative metal panels between the two rows of windows.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Spire Installed and Cladding Underway at the Okinawa Japan Temple
The uniquely shaped spire of the Okinawa Japan Temple has been installed on top of the tower frame while sheathing is being attached to the exterior of the temple frame. Hanging brackets are incorporated into the sheathing for the ornamented stone cladding, which is being hung at the west corner. Glass has been inserted into the window openings, allowing interior work to get underway.
Photo: Kaori Shimabukuro Fong
Okinawa Japan Temple Steeple Frame Growing Taller
The growing steeple frame for the Okinawa Japan Temple has reached new heights. The latest section, surrounded by four levels of scaffolding, will form the main body of the steeple, which will be clad in stone and feature a window and medallion on each of the four sides. At the top of the structure will be a metal spire. Okinawa is the fifth largest island in Japan with a coastline that is 296 miles (476 kilometers) long.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Forming the Steeple Walls for the Okinawa Japan Temple
Additional rows of scaffolds have been added around the Okinawa Japan Temple as the structure continues to grow taller. The concrete floors and exterior walls have been poured and cured, and forming of the steeple walls has begun. The rising steeple has eclipsed the height of the adjacent meetinghouse and will eventually be topped with a metal spire.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Structural Walls and Floors Poured for the Okinawa Japan Temple
A hard-working cement truck is seen leaving the construction site of the Okinawa Japan Temple. Thus far, over 100 truckloads of concrete have been mixed and poured to form the structural floors and walls of the 10,000-square-foot building. Standing next to the temple is the beautiful meetinghouse for the Okinawa Ward, the Gushikawa Military Branch, and the Kadena Military Branch.
Photo: Kawamitsu Kumiko
Forming the Exterior Walls of the Okinawa Japan Temple
Concrete forms have been erected around the steel bars that will reinforce the exterior walls of the Okinawa Japan Temple. The 10,000 square feet of interior space will be stacked into two stories, allowing for a compact footprint. Okinawa has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world—one of five "Blue Zones." Members on the island are looking forward with anticipation to the dedication of this sacred House of the Lord.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Foundation Poured for the Okinawa Japan Temple
The foundation walls for the Okinawa Japan Temple have been poured, and rebar is being set in place for the main floor walls. The temple will stand near the Kadena Air Base where over 20,000 American servicemembers, family members, and Japanese employees live or work, including many Church members.
Photo: Richard Krikava
Building the Foundation for the Okinawa Japan Temple
A cement truck sits at the entrance to the Okinawa Japan Temple construction site, ready to mix and pump concrete for the foundation of the building. The two-story, 10,000-square-foot temple will stand on a slightly raised platform covered in grass and other softscape. Construction on the project began in earnest about five months ago when the site was staked and clearing and excavation began.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Shoring Up the Okinawa Japan Temple Excavation
Excavation for the substructure of the Okinawa Japan Temple has been carried out, and support structures are being installed to shore up the cavity walls. Concrete work is expected to follow. The temple is being constructed in Okinawa City, located in Central Okinawa. It is the second-largest city on the beautiful island, following the capital city of Naha in Southern Okinawa.
Photo: Nathan Garlick
Drilling Equipment Arrives at the Okinawa Japan Temple Site
New machinery has arrived at the Okinawa Japan Temple site that will drill for the support structure beneath the temple foundation. The expertly designed temple will fit beautifully on the narrow lot that previously served as a parking area. Over the past few weeks the ground has been cleared of rocks and debris to prepare it for construction.
Photo: Nettie Francis
Construction Activity at the Okinawa Japan Temple Site
Heavy equipment arrived this weekend at the Okinawa Japan Temple site to begin construction on Japan's fourth temple. Before the groundbreaking ceremony, the asphalt was removed, and a solid white barrier was installed around the narrow lot that previously served as overflow parking. An excavator is breaking up the ground, unearthing debris, and beginning the work of excavation for the substructure. Watch a beautiful groundbreaking highlights video.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Groundbreaking Held for the Okinawa Japan Temple
"Despite the small gathering, we are extremely grateful as we meet to consecrate this island for the building of a holy temple this day," said Elder Takashi Wada, Asia North Area president, who presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Okinawa Japan Temple on Saturday, December 5, 2020. The two-story, 10,000-square-foot temple will be constructed on half-acre parking lot next to an existing meetinghouse that will be remodeled to include a patron waiting area. In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Wada prayed, "Please watch over the people on this island; may all be inspired by thy spirit and recognize the eternal significance of this sacred project."
Photo: Google
Okinawa Japan Temple Groundbreaking Slated for December
Ground will be broken for the Okinawa Japan Temple in December 2020. Elder Takashi Wada, president of the Asia North Area, will preside at the service. The two-story, 10,000-square-foot building will be constructed on a half-acre parking lot adjacent to an existing meetinghouse, which will be remodeled to include a patron waiting area. It will be the fourth temple built in Japan, joining the Tokyo Japan Temple, Fukuoka Japan Temple, and Sapporo Japan Temple.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Take a Look at the Okinawa Japan Temple
The Okinawa Japan Temple will be a two-story building of approximately 10,000 square feet, as revealed today in an exterior rendering released to the public. Plans also call for a temple patron arrival center to be added to the adjacent Okinawa Ward meetinghouse. The temple's location near the Kadena Air Base and just off the Okinawa Expressway will make it easily accessible from locations throughout the island.