Spring 2026 Japan Catholic Pilgrimage Itinerary
Welcome to Japan Catholic Pilgrimage Expedition
📍 April 9 (Thu) | Tokyo
- Arrival in Tokyo: Group meets at Haneda Airport; transfer to hotel.
- Opening Mass: Takanawa Catholic Church, a historic parish in Tokyo.
- Cultural Visit: Walk through the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens and Nijubashi Bridge for an introduction to Japan’s imperial heritage.
- Overnight: Tokyo (near HND Airport)
📍 April 10 (Fri) | Tokyo · Mt. Fuji
- Mass: Fujiyoshida Catholic Church, serving local faithful in the Mt. Fuji region.
- Pilgrimage: Pray at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fuji (2nd–3rd station of Mt. Fuji), a symbol of Mary’s protection for Japan.
- Cultural Experience: Scenic views of Mt. Fuji, with time for reflection and photography at Lake Kawaguchi.
- Overnight: Tokyo
📍 April 11 (Sat) | Tokyo → Nagasaki
- Flight: Morning domestic flight to Nagasaki.
- Mass: St. Philip Church.
- Pilgrimage Visits:
- 26 Martyrs Memorial & Museum: Honors the Japanese and foreign missionaries crucified in 1597.
- Our Lady of the Cape (Nagasaki Seibo): A statue long venerated by persecuted Christians
- Overnight: Nagasaki
📍 April 12 (Sun) | Nagasaki
- Sunday Mass: St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church, named after the first Jesuit missionary to Japan.
- Pilgrimage Visits:
- Tabira Church: One of the UNESCO-listed Hidden Christian sites.
- St. Carlo Spinola Martyrdom Site: Place where the Italian Jesuit and companions gave their lives for the faith.
- Cultural: Evening visit to Inasayama Observatory, offering one of the world’s most beautiful night views.
- Overnight: Nagasaki
📍 April 13 (Mon) | Nagasaki
- Mass: Honkawachi “Knights of the Immaculata” Church, founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe.
- Pilgrimage Visits:
- Kolbe Museum: Learn about St. Maximilian’s mission in Japan.
- Rosary Path & Lourdes Grotto: Quiet time for prayer and reflection.
- Oura Cathedral: The oldest surviving Catholic church in Japan (UNESCO site).
- Former Seminary Museum: Discover how the Church secretly survived during centuries of persecution.
- Overnight: Nagasaki
📍 April 14 (Tue) | Nagasaki · Shimabara
- Mass: Shimabara Catholic Church.
- Pilgrimage Visits:
- Hara Castle Ruins: Stronghold of the 1637–38 Shimabara Christian uprising.
- Our Lady Kannon Statue: A unique Marian statue with Buddhist features, symbol of hidden faith.
- Cultural: Stroll through Unzen Jigoku Hot Springs, a dramatic volcanic landscape once used as an execution site for Christians.
- Overnight: Nagasaki
📍 April 15 (Wed) | Nagasaki
- Mass: Urakami Cathedral, rebuilt after the atomic bombing of 1945.
- Pilgrimage Visits:
- Atomic Bomb Museum & Peace Park: Pray for peace at the epicenter of tragedy.
- Nyokodo (Dr. Takashi Nagai Memorial): Visit the hermitage of the “Saint of Nagasaki.”
- Nagai Family Grave: Pay respects at the resting place of Dr. Nagai and his family.
- Overnight: Nagasaki
📍 April 16 (Thu) | Nagasaki → Hiroshima
- Travel: Ride the Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima.
- Mass: Assumption of Mary Church.
- Visits:
- Peace Memorial Museum: Testimonies of survivors and the story of the atomic bomb.
- Atomic Bomb Dome: A haunting UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Peace Memorial Park: A moving place of prayer and remembrance.
- Overnight: Hiroshima
📍 April 17 (Fri) | Hiroshima → Osaka
- Travel: Shinkansen to Osaka.
- Mass: Tamatsukuri St. Mary’s Cathedral, the seat of the Osaka Archdiocese.
- Cultural Visit: Tour Osaka Castle, symbol of the power struggles of the 16th century.
- Overnight: Osaka
📍 April 18 (Sat) | Osaka → Kyoto
- Mass: Kawaramachi Catholic Church / Chapel of Our Lady of Kyoto.
- Pilgrimage Visit: Monument of 52 Martyrs of Kyoto, who gave their lives for Christ in 1619.
- Cultural Visit: Explore Nijo Castle, a shogunate palace with beautiful gardens and historical artwork.
- Overnight: Osaka
📍 April 19 (Sun) | Osaka → Akita
- Sunday Mass: Suita Catholic Church.
- Flight: From Itami Airport to Akita.
- Overnight: Akita
📍 April 20 (Mon) | Akita
- Mass & Consecration: Handmaids of the Eucharist Convent, where the Virgin Mary appeared and delivered messages to Sr. Agnes Sasagawa.
- Cultural Visits:
- Kakunodate Samurai Village: Preserved Edo-period streets and warrior residences.
- Aoyagi Samurai Residence Museum: Learn about the traditions and lifestyle of samurai families.
- Overnight: Akita
📍 April 21 (Tue) | Akita
- Mass: Handmaids of the Eucharist Convent.
- Prayer Activity: Outdoor Rosary Path, a meditative walk in nature.
- Pilgrimage Visit: Akita Catholic Church, memorial of 32 Christian Samurai and their families martyred in 1624.
- Overnight: Akita
📍 April 22 (Wed) | Akita → Tokyo → Return
- Mass: Tsuchizaki Catholic Church.
- Flight: Return flight from Akita to Tokyo; connect to international flights home.
