The Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church was built in 1859 and has been recognized by the Japanese government as an Important Cultural Property. At the time it was build, the Russian Orthodox Church was the state religion of Russia so when Russia established consulates overseas, churches were built and priests were dispatched. Japan and Russia established diplomatic relations in 1858; when a Russian consul was transferred to Hakodate, the church was built. The residents of Hakodate affectionately call it Ding-dong Temple because of the church bell's distinctive sound.
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