Mission guide

Japan Tokyo South Mission

The Japan Tokyo South Mission is centered in Tokyo, Japan, a historic and fast-moving capital.

Japanese

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Japan Tokyo South Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

Japan Tokyo South Mission T-Shirt

$29.00

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Japan Tokyo South Mission Heart Map Shirt

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Japanese on White: “わたしはイエスを誇りとする”, ニーファイ第二書 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Japanese

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I Glory in My Jesus minimal shirt in Japanese, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “わたしはイエスを誇りとする”, ニーファイ第二書 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Minimal Shirt (White Ink) – Japanese

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About the mission

The Japan Tokyo South Mission is based in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. Tokyo Metropolis had 14,254,039 people in May 2025, and the Greater Tokyo Area had about 33 million residents.

Missionaries in this mission speak Japanese.

At a glance

Country: Japan
Main city: Tokyo (14,254,039 people in Tokyo Metropolis, May 2025)
Language: Japanese
Time zone: Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Climate: Humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and cool winters
Church in Japan: 131,776 members, 22 stakes, 230 congregations

A short history of the area

People lived in the Tokyo area as early as approximately 40,000 to 16,000 BC. The Edo clan fortified Edo in the late twelfth century, and Ōta Dōkan built Edo Castle in 1457. In 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu made Edo the seat of national rule.

Edo was renamed Tokyo, meaning “Eastern Capital,” in 1868, when the imperial capital moved from Kyoto. The Great Kantō Earthquake struck in 1923, and Tokyo City joined Tokyo Prefecture to form Tokyo Metropolis in 1943. Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964 and again in 2021.

The Church here

1901The Church first sent missionaries to Japan.
1924–1948Political tension closed the Japan Mission.
1945After World War II, the Church returned to Japan.
1965Many Japanese members sacrificed time and wages to travel to the temple in Hawaii.
1968The Northern Far East Mission divided to create the Japan and Japan-Okinawa Missions.
1970The first stake in Japan was established in Tokyo on March 15.
1970sChurch members’ devotion led to the construction of a temple in Tokyo.
1980The Tokyo Japan Temple was dedicated as the first temple in Japan and Asia.
2011Japanese members helped distribute relief supplies and repair damage after the East Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Temples nearby

Tokyo Japan Temple

Dedicated October 27, 1980 · Near Tokyo

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

Japanese Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

こんにちは (Konnichiwa)Hello
おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu)Good morning
ありがとうございます (Arigatō gozaimasu)Thank you
お願いします (Onegaishimasu)Please

Foods to try

Sushi (vinegared rice served with seafood or other toppings)
Ramen (noodles served in a flavorful broth)
Tempura (seafood or vegetables lightly battered and fried)
Monjayaki (a savory Tokyo-style batter dish cooked on a hot griddle)

Fun facts

Tokyo Skytree is 634 metres tall and is described as the tallest tower in the world.
Shinjuku Station is described as the world’s busiest train station.
The Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, opened in 1927, is the oldest underground metro line in Asia.

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