Inside this low-roofed, high-modernist church a blond-wood sanctuary welcomes all faiths. Kindly Reverend Joanne Tolosa will answer questions about spirituality, the church or its Shinto-inspired beliefs, then leave you to contemplation. Vintage photographs capture 80 years of Konko-kyo events, from Cherry Blossom festivals to July community bazaars. On New Year's Day, visitors jot down an appreciation, an apology and a request on a slip of paper to hang from a tree then receive blessings with sacred rice wine.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Ruth Asawa Fountains

0.12 MILES

During drought years you'll have to imagine how they look with water flowing, but even without they're a sight to behold. Celebrated sculptor and former…

2. Japan Center

0.16 MILES

Time-travel to 1968 as you cross Japan Center's indoor wooden bridges, with noren (curtains) and maneki-neko (cat figurines) waving welcomes from…

3. Peace Pagoda

0.18 MILES

The spiritual center of Japantown's commercial district is minimalist master Yoshiro Taniguchi's Peace Pagoda. It was donated by San Francisco's sister…

4. Cottage Row

0.21 MILES

Detour to days of yore, when this neighborhood was a sleepy seaside village – before lumber barons arrived with bombastic Victorian fanfare. Serene…

5. Haas-Lilienthal House

0.45 MILES

If these red-velvet parlor walls could talk this 1886 Queen Anne–style Victorian could tell you about earthquakes, booms, busts and untimely deaths. This…

6. Fillmore Center Waterfall & Plaza

0.46 MILES

This patch of green flanked by apartment towers is open to the public and a welcome break from Fillmore sidewalks. Walk past the fountain at O'Farrell…

7. SF Arts Commission Gallery

0.69 MILES

Get in on the ground floor of the next SF art movement at this public showcase for local talent, with past exhibits ranging from Susan O'Malley's silk…

8. Octagon House

0.72 MILES

Crafty architects are always trying to cut corners on clients, and architect William C McElroy has done so splendidly with this house. This is among the…