Join us for an unprecedented pilgrimage to Japan to discover its extraordinary Catholic history. Beginning with the arrival of St. Francis Xavier in 1549, the seed of the Catholic faith took root among the Japanese people, many of whom courageously shed their blood for Christ during centuries of fierce persecution.

We have a wonderful itinerary planned, starting with many religious sites in Nagasaki, Japan’s most Catholic city. Honor the 26 Martyrs of Japan, who were executed here by crucifixion on February 5, 1597, and included 20 Japanese Christians and 6 foreign missionaries. Also in Nagasaki, visit sites related to St. Maximilian Kolbe, including Hongochi Church, and St. Maximillian Kolbe Memorial Museum. Pray in Oura Cathedral, considered the oldest standing Christian church in Japan, and which was a spiritual support for persecuted Christians in the Urakami region for centuries. Visit the Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum and Nyokodo to honor Dr. Takashi Nagai, a devout Catholic who survived the Nagasaki atomic bombing in 1945, and in Urakami Cathedral, almost completely destroyed by the atomic bomb, see various relics that miraculously survived.

In Unzen, render homage to the 33 Christians who were martyred between 1627 and 1631. Then, explore Hara Castle, the site of the Shimabara Rebellion by brave Catholic farmers between 1637 and 1638. In Hiroshima, visit the Assumption of Mary Cathedral, built in the aftermath of the 1945 atomic bombing as a poignant symbol of faith, peace, and remembrance for the victims of war.

Honor the 52 Kyoto Martyrs in Kawaramachi Church. On October 6, 1619, 52 Catholics, including young mothers and children, were publicly burnt to death in Kyoto on the banks of the Kamogawa River. In Tokyo, visit Takanawa Catholic Church, commemorating the 50 martyrs who were burned alive for their faith in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) on December 4, 1623, and then enjoy a full free day to explore this incredible city. Lay your petitions before the miraculous wooden statue of Our Lady of Akita, in a small convent chapel in northern Japan. In the 1970s, this statue wept 101 times — real tears, tested by university scientists, and found to be human fluid.

In addition to visiting significant religious sites, experience the natural beauty of Japan during peak cherry blossom season; walk along the natural bamboo forest at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove; tour Nijo Castle in Kyoto, ride the bullet train from Tokyo to Kakunodate, and step into an authentic samurai world at the Aoyagi Samurai Manor.

Experience an incredible journey enriched by daily Holy Mass, the companionship of fellow traditional Catholics, and the ease and comfort of group travel. Join today!

Visiting the churches in Japan
Japan is predominantly a Buddhist country. The churches and religious sites we will visit may be of newer construction; however, the sites hold great Catholic significance. As pilgrims, we will still have the opportunity to learn about the Church in Japan and honor the brave Catholics and martyrs of these places.

HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE

Nagasaki: Twenty-Six Martyrs, Oura Cathedral, Nyoko-do Dr. Takashi Memorial Museum, Urakami Cathedral, Nagasaki Hypocenter Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, sites related to St. Maximilian Kolbe including his first residence in Nagasaki, Hongochi Church and Lourdes Grotto, and St. Maximillian Kolbe Memorial Museum

Akita: Chapel of Our Lady of Akita with miraculous wooden statue that shed tears, Seitai Hoshikai convent and grounds

Unzen: 33 Christians martyrdom site, Shimabara Catholic Church, Hara Castle site of the Shimabara Rebellion

Hiroshima: Assumption of Mary Cathedral, Peace Memorial Park, A-Bomb Museum and A-Bomb Dome, outside view of Hiroshima Castle

Kyoto: Kawaramachi Church honoring the 52 Kyoto Martyrs, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Nijo Castle, bullet train to Tokyo

Tokyo: Takanawa Catholic Church, honoring the Great Martyrdom of Tokyo, free day in Tokyo

Kakunodate: Samurai District, Aoyagi Samurai Manor

CONTACT US TO REGISTER

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL TERMS/CONDITIONS

TRAVEL INSURANCE

ITINERARY

Day 1. Tuesday, March 30: Transatlantic flight to Nagasaki, Japan

Day 2. Wednesday, March 31: Arrival in Nagasaki

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival in Nagasaki, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel or local restaurant and overnight. (D)

Day 3. Thursday, April 1: Nagasaki

Enjoy a full day in Nagasaki, Japan’s most Catholic city. Begin with a visit to the Monument and Museum of the 26 Martyrs of Japan, who were executed here by crucifixion on February 5, 1597, and included 20 Japanese Christians and 6 foreign missionaries. Continue to visit several sites related to St. Maximilian Kolbe, including Hongochi Church, which he established when he was posted in Japan from 1930 to 1936, and its Lourdes Grotto. In the St. Maximillian Kolbe Memorial Museum, see the original room and his desk from which he worked, the printing press purchased by Father Kolbe, and other items that belonged to him. Finally, pray in Oura Cathedral, considered the oldest standing Christian church in Japan, and which was a spiritual support for persecuted Christians in the Urakami region for centuries. Dinner and overnight in Nagasaki. (B, L, D)

Day 4. Friday, April 2: Nagasaki – Shimabara – Nagasaki

Today in Unzen, render homage to the 33 Christians who were tortured and killed in the boiling waters of the jigoku hot springs of Unzen in the 17th century. Visit Shimabara Catholic Church, rebuilt in 1972 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the area and dedicated to the martyrs of the region. Then, explore Hara Castle, the site of the Shimabara Rebellion where brave Catholic farmers stood against the persecution of Christians by local lords between 1637 and 1638. Dinner and overnight in Nagasaki. (B, L, D)

Day 5. Saturday, April 3: Nagasaki – Hiroshima

This morning in Nagasaki, tour the Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum and Nyokodo to learn about Dr. Takashi Nagai, a devout Catholic who survived the Nagasaki atomic bombing on August 9, 1945 and dedicated his life to prayer, research, and promoting peace. Then, visit Urakami Cathedral, which was almost completely destroyed by the atomic bomb and see various relics that miraculously survived. Continue to Nagasaki Hypocenter Park, which marks the exact location where the atomic bomb exploded, and the Atomic Bomb Museum, which traces the events preceding the bombing of Nagasaki, as well as the resulting destruction and the city’s restoration. Afterwards, take the Kamome Express train to Fukuoka Station and then the Bullet Train to Hiroshima. Dinner and overnight in Hiroshima. (B, L, D)

Day 6. Sunday, April 4: Hiroshima – Kyoto

Begin your day in Hiroshima with a visit to the Assumption of Mary Cathedral, also known as the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace, built in the aftermath of the 1945 atomic bombing as a poignant symbol of faith, peace, and remembrance for the victims of war. Continue to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack, and to the memories of the bomb’s direct and indirect victims. Enjoy an exterior view of historic Hiroshima Castle, residence of the feudal lords of the Hiroshima Domain. It was destroyed by the 1945 atomic bomb and was rebuilt in 1958 as a history museum. Take a Bullet Train to Kyoto, and there enjoy dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 7. Monday, April 5: Kyoto

Enjoy a full day’s sightseeing in Kyoto, beginning with Kawaramachi Church, established in 1890 by French missionaries to honor the 52 Kyoto Martyrs and as a testament to the enduring presence of Christianity in Japan. The Kyoto Martyrs were 52 Catholics, including young mothers and children, who were publicly burnt to death on the banks of the Kamogawa River on October 6, 1619. Continue to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, located along the beautiful Katsura River in the foothills of Mount Arashiyama (or Mount Ogura). Step into another world as you walk along paths lined with towering slender bamboo stalks reaching into the sky and admire stunning Japanese gardens. Finally, visit Nijō Castle, a former imperial palace with lavish decorations and gardens built in 1603 by the Tokugawa shogunate. Dinner and overnight in Kyoto. (B, L, D)

Day 8. Tuesday, April 6: Kyoto – Tokyo

After breakfast, take the Bullet Train to Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station, and catch a view of snow-covered Mount Fuji, an active stratovolcano and the highest mountain in Japan. Upon arrival in Tokyo, visit Takanawa Catholic Church, honoring the 50 martyrs who were burned alive for their faith in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) on December 4, 1623. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Japan’s capital. Dinner and overnight in Tokyo. (B, L, D)

Day 9. Wednesday, April 7: Tokyo

Enjoy a free day in Tokyo to visit sites of your choice! Today, lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight in Tokyo. (B)

Day 10. Thursday, April 8: Tokyo – Kakunodate – Akita

Take a morning Bullet Train to Kakunodate, and there, visit its Samurai District, which once housed close to 80 families and is one of the best examples of samurai architecture and housing in Japan. Tour Aoyagi Samurai Manor, an authentic 10,000-square-meter estate featuring six galleries of genuine samurai family artifacts from the 17th to 20th centuries. Admire original samurai swords, armor, and domestic items preserved within their historical setting in one of Japan’s best warrior districts. Transfer to Akita for a farewell dinner and overnight. (B, Boxed lunch, D)

Day 11. Friday, April 9: Akita – Homebound flight

Finish your pilgrimage by laying your petitions before the miraculous wooden statue of Our Lady of Akita, enshrined in a small convent chapel of the Handmaids of the Holy Eucharist. The statue was carved in 1963 by Mr. Saburo Wakasa, a wood sculptor living in Akita. On the morning of January 4, 1975, real tears began to flow from the statue. The “lacrimations” (shedding of tears) continued for a total of 101 times until September 15, 1981 — the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The cotton swabs used to wipe away the tears were sent to forensic labs for testing and were certified to be human fluid. Upon finishing your visit, transfer to Akita airport for an afternoon homebound flight that arrives in the United States the same day. (B)

(B) Breakfast; (L) Lunch; (D) Dinner

* In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change.

CHAPLAIN

This pilgrimage will be accompanied by a priest of the Society of St. Pius X who will celebrate daily Tridentine Mass.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Currently, there are no restrictions to travel to the visited country. For current travel advisories by country, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations for this pilgrimage are in first-class hotels.

Nagasaki (3 nights): ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Nagasaki Gloverhill or similar
Hiroshima (1 night): Hotel Granvia Hiroshima or similar
Kyoto (2 nights): Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar
Tokyo (2 nights): Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
Akita (1 night): Akita Castle Hotel or similar

Rooms in double occupancy are for two people to share, having two twin beds. Rooms in single occupancy have a single bed and are for one person to occupy; a “single supplement fee” is added for single occupancy rooms.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

The current main group air reservation is listed below. Please do not purchase any air tickets until we notify that the group is fully formed with a minimum of 20 passengers. The group air schedule could undergo minor changes from the airlines; if a major change occurs, we will modify the listed flight schedule and notify registered passengers.

30MAR All Nippon Airways flight 107 San Francisco (SFO) - Tokyo (HND) 1:45AM – 5:00AM 31MAR
31MAR All Nippon Airways flight 661 Tokyo (HND) - Nagasaki (NGS) 8:15AM – 10:10AM

09APR All Nippon Airways flight 408 Akita (AXT) - Tokyo (HND) 3:45PM - 5:00PM
09APR All Nippon Airways flight 126 Tokyo (HND) - Los Angeles (LAX) 9:05PM - 3:05PM

TRIP PACE

The pace for this pilgrimage is “on the go”. There is daily walking and standing. Pilgrims must be in active enough condition to walk 3-4 hours and stand for 2-3 hours per day. We strongly recommend preparing oneself by walking before the trip, building up to at least 2-3 miles per day.

Sometimes walking is up or down slopes, and at times sidewalks and terrain will be uneven. Pilgrims must have full mobility and be able to climb several stairs, since many of the visited places have no other access. A certain pace must be kept by all pilgrims in order to cover the scheduled sightseeing. Some days may have several hours on the motor-coach.

Also see the “PHYSICAL HEALTH & FITNESS” section in the General Terms & Conditions.

PRICING INFORMATION

Pilgrimage price per person (pp) with group air from San Francisco SFO (includes estimated air taxes & surcharges): $6,995 pp
Land-only pilgrimage price in double occupancy: $5,180 pp
Single supplement: $600
Registration: Non-refundable deposit of $300 pp
- Last day to register for with-air package: December 26, 2026
- Last day to register for land-only package: January 20, 2027
Final payment for all packages due by January 20, 2027.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Scheduled roundtrip transatlantic flights (included when purchasing the air-inclusive package)
Accommodations in first-class hotels
Daily Holy Mass
Deluxe motor-coach for scheduled transfers and sightseeing
Bullet train rides: Nagasaki-Hiroshima, Hiroshima-Kyoto, Kyoto-Tokyo, Tokyo–Kakunodate
Daily meals per the itinerary
Services of a professional English-speaking tour guide
Admission fees for all included sightseeing
Gratuities to tour guide and motor-coach drivers
Service charges, government fees
What’s not included: