Tadao Ando’s Church Trilogy: the Church of the Wind

The least well-known of Ando’s church trilogy, the Church of the Wind is located northeast of Kobe on the grounds of the former Rokko Oriental Hotel. Designed exclusively for wedding ceremonies, the building embodies Ando’s signature style, featuring an emphasis on light, simple geometric forms, and the interplay of concrete and glass.

The most striking element of the design is a 40-meter-long tunnel made of semi-transparent glass, leading to the main chapel. The tunnel’s structure allows the wind to pass through, making its movement and sound part of the experience—hence the name "Church of the Wind."

At the end of the tunnel, visitors turn right to enter a simple, square concrete space. The left side of the chapel features a floor-to-ceiling window, framed by a massive concrete cross, while above the altar hangs a large black iron cross. Several narrow openings in the walls let in natural light, creating a constantly shifting interplay of light and shadow throughout the day.

After the hotel closed in 2007, the church remained abandoned for years. However, in 2018, it was fully restored and reopened for weddings and special events.

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Church of the Light
Church of the Wind