A Sacred Journey through Japan’s Catholic Pilgrimage

What You'll Get

This pilgrimage blends deep Catholic spirituality with Japanese history, culture, and natural beauty. Pilgrims will walk in the footsteps of martyrs, honor Our Lady of Akita, and pray for peace in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, while also experiencing Japan’s castles, samurai heritage, and breathtaking landscapes.

April 9-22, 2026

✨ HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PILGRIMAGE

🙏 Faith & Pilgrimage

Daily Mass at historic churches and shrines across Japan.
Nagasaki: Sites of 26 Martyrs, Oura Cathedral, Urakami Cathedral, and the legacy of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
Akita: Visit the Handmaids of the Eucharist Convent, site of the famous Marian apparitions.
Martyrs Memorials: Kyoto’s 52 Martyrs, Akita’s 32 Samurai Martyrs, Shimabara’s Hara Castle site.

🗾 Culture & History

Tokyo: Imperial Palace and Takanawa Church.
Mt. Fuji: Pray at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fuji.
Hiroshima & Nagasaki: Peace Parks, Atomic Bomb Memorials.
Kyoto & Osaka: Nijo Castle and Osaka Castle, symbols of Japan’s feudal heritage.
Samurai Culture: Explore Kakunodate Samurai Village.

🌸 Nature & Spiritual Reflection

Inasayama Night View: One of the world’s top three nightscapes.
Unzen Hot Springs: Experience volcanic landscapes.
Rosary Path: Outdoor prayer and meditation in nature.

Spring 2026 Catholic Pilgrimage To Japan

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.

Let Japan Adventure Club take you on a Pilgrimage journey!

Japan Adventure Club specializes in designing and customizing Catholic pilgrimages throughout Japan, offering travelers the opportunity to explore the country’s most meaningful and inspiring Christian sites. Whether you're planning a parish pilgrimage, a private spiritual retreat, or a group tour, Japan Adventure Club can tailor every detail to your group's needs—Mass locations, local devotions, historical context, and logistical support—ensuring a spiritually enriching and culturally immersive experience.

With roots in Japan since 1998 and a passion for connecting visitors to the "hidden side of Japan," the Club offers unmatched access to sacred places often overlooked by conventional tours. As detailed on the Japan Expo Tours website, we handle the complexities of travel, translation, and coordination so you can focus fully on prayer, reflection, and fellowship.

From the martyrdom sites of Nagasaki to the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Akita, and from scenic Mt. Fuji to underground Christian heritage in Goto Islands, this sample itinerary highlights just a glimpse of what your customized pilgrimage could look like.

JAPAN CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE, SPRING, 2026