The convent was founded by eight nuns sent directly from the Abbey of Notre-Dame de La Croyère in France.
The onsite shop is the primary way the public interacts with the cloistered community, selling abbey-made confections.
The 'Trappistine' name refers to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance.
Nuns residing at the abbey strictly follow a life of prayer and manual labor, limiting external interaction.
The buildings were designed to withstand the cold Hokkaido winters using thick, durable brick masonry.
The abbey site originally functioned as a farm to help the nuns achieve financial independence.
The garden area is modeled after European monastic layouts, emphasizing symmetrical paths and floral arrangements.
Our Lady of the Angels Trappistine Abbey is the first Catholic convent established in Japan, founded by eight French nuns in 1898. The current brick structure was completed in 1927 following a fire that destroyed the original wooden building. The site remains a cloistered community where Trappistine nuns observe a vow of silence and follow the Rule of St. Benedict. Visitors are restricted to the exterior grounds, garden, and a designated small museum area. The convent is self-sufficient, historically producing traditional butter candies and cookies for sale to support their living expenses. The architecture features a blend of Gothic and Romanesque influences, characterized by red-brick walls and pointed arch windows. The grounds include a statue of the Virgin Mary and a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. It is located on a hillside overlooking the Tsugaru Strait. The complex serves as both an active religious monastery and a historical destination.
The red-brick main gate and the path leading up to the statues near the flower garden.
Purchase the abbey's signature butter cookies at the shop, as they are a local specialty.
Respect the silence and privacy of the nuns, as this is an active cloistered residence.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the path from the parking area to the gate involves an incline.
Do not attempt to enter the cloistered living quarters or the private chapel area, which are strictly off-limits.
Closed on certain days of the week, typically Thursdays, and occasionally during the winter period for facility maintenance.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor; refrain from approaching or photographing the nuns if encountered.
