The first religious arrived in 1948 in Kyoto, in the Kitashirakawa neighborhood. On December 8, 1948, they celebrated Mass in one of the rooms of the first residence. In 1952, a secondary school opened its doors; it was named Rakusei, a word formed by two Japanese characters that mean the star of Kyoto. In the first year, the school received 88 students. Currently, it has 1,325 spread over 6 levels.
The Saint Viator parish of Kyoto was founded in 1948. It has developed over the years. The current church is the third place of worship. It was inaugurated in March 1993 and consecrated by Msgr. Raymond Kenichi Tanaka, Bishop of Kyoto.
The community in Japan depends on the Province of Canada. Still today, the community is present in this country through the commitment of 28 Viatorian associates. They perform different tasks and volunteer work both at the college and in the parish.
