Driving an EV to Japan, Missouri: A Surprise Road Trip Detour
The Church of the Holy Martyrs of Japan
Driving an EV to Japan, Missouri
We recently took our EV to Japan.
Not the island nation, but the small, unincorporated community tucked away in rural Missouri.
The discovery happened while we were making our way to Fisher Cave in Meramec State Park. As we followed scenic backroads through rolling hills, green farm fields, and plenty of grazing cattle, an unusual place name caught our attention on the map.
Japan.
Since this definitely wasn't on our itinerary, a detour seemed like the only reasonable option. After all, how often do you stumble across a destination with a name like that while driving through the Missouri countryside?
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Why Is There a Japan, Missouri?
A few miles later, we left US Highway 50, which is decidedly not lonely in this part of Missouri, and headed toward the Sullivan Pilot Flying J EV charging stations.
Four extra miles was all it took to reach one of the most unexpectedly named places we've encountered on our travels.
At first glance, there's not much here to suggest an international connection. No famous mountain. No bustling city streets. And definitely no high-speed rail.
What we did find, however, was the clue that explained everything: the Church of the Holy Martyrs of Japan.
That discovery sent us down a bit of a history rabbit hole.
Amp’d Advice: Sun and Bug Protection are Essential
Always carry the basics when heading out for an adventure.
Bring sunscreen and insect repellent. Missouri's ticks are persistent, and avoiding bites is much easier than dealing with the consequences later.
The parish has served the area since the nineteenth century and was named in honor of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan, missionaries and Japanese converts who were executed in Nagasaki in 1597 because of their Christian faith. Over time, the surrounding area adopted the church's distinctive name.
Suddenly, what looked like a curious label on a map started making a lot more sense.
The name drew additional attention during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, some people pushed to rename the town amid growing anti-Japanese sentiment across the United States. Once residents learned the name actually honored Christian martyrs rather than the nation itself, support for a change faded.
Locals even gave the name a distinctly Missouri flavor, traditionally pronouncing it "JAY-pan" or "JAY-puhn."
If you'd like to learn more about the church and its history, this article from Rome of the West provides additional photos and background information.
Every EV trip starts with PlugShare to research destinations and charging options
Our mantra is simple: we design our route - because adventure shouldn’t be outsourced to a GPS.
Once we pick a destination, I dive into PlugShare for charger intel while Cheryl brings the magic by charting each stop on our paper atlas, giving us a colorful, big‑picture snapshot of the journey.
That blend of EV tech and old‑school wanderlust keeps our planning smooth, colorful, and unmistakably SightSee EV. Check out the full article to see how this combo keeps our road trips smooth and fun!
Birds Eye Review: A Detour into Missouri History
The church marquee welcomes visitors to the Church of the Holy Martyrs of Japan
Before spotting it on the map, we had no idea this place even existed.
What started as a drive to Fisher Cave turned into a lesson in local history, religious heritage, and a story stretching back more than four centuries.
That's one of the things we enjoy most about road trips.
Sometimes the destination is exactly where you planned to go. Other times, a glance at the map leads you somewhere completely unexpected.
A few extra miles revealed a fascinating story hidden among the hills of east-central Missouri.
Not bad for a spontaneous side trip along The Great American Electric Highway.
John's mission is to help readers appreciate that electric vehicles are simply cars powered by a different energy source, capable of taking us anywhere we want to go.
His favorite way to share that message? Road-tripping along the Great American Electric Highway, where every mile offers an opportunity to visit family, reconnect with friends, and discover America's scenic beauty.
EV Basics
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EV Road Trip Planning
After buying an electric car, the most important steps are learning how to charge at home, becoming familiar with public charging stations, understanding how weather affects range, improving driving efficiency, and gradually taking longer trips. These skills help new EV owners build confidence and enjoy their vehicle's full capabilities.