Today we depart from Los Angeles International Airport for our trans-Pacific journey to Japan. As we settle into the long overseas flight, we use this time for personal preparation—reading scripture, quiet prayer, or simply resting as we leave behind daily concerns and step into a space of pilgrimage. This is not merely travel, but a spiritual crossing, as we journey toward the sacred Catholic heritage of Japan, where the faith endured underground through centuries of persecution and emerged through courageous witness. Our flight allows us to gradually transition mentally, emotionally, and spiritually into a mode of pilgrimage.

Upon landing at Nagasaki Airport, we are greeted and transferred into the city, where the coastal beauty and quiet charm of Nagasaki reflects both cultural elegance and deep historic memory. After checking into our hotel, we gather for our first group Mass at St. Philip’s Church, giving thanks for safe arrival and consecrating the days ahead to Our Lord. This initial encounter grounds us in humility and gratitude as we begin walking in the footsteps of Japan’s Catholic martyrs.

After breakfast, we begin with Oura Church, the oldest wooden Gothic-style church in Japan and the site where the hidden Christians (Kakure Kirishitan) revealed themselves to missionaries in 1865, whispering: “We are of the same faith as you.” We continue to the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument, where we take time to reflect on the courage of the believers crucified for refusing to renounce their faith in 1597. At Nishizaka Hill, the place of martyrdom, we pause in silence and prayer. Later, we celebrate Mass at St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church, honoring the missionary who first planted the Catholic faith in Japan.

In the morning, we transfer to Hakata Station and board the iconic bullet train toward Hiroshima. Here we enter a pilgrimage of compassion and prayer for peace. At Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, we quietly walk through the memorial spaces honoring victims of the atomic bombing—reflecting on the Christian call to forgiveness, reconciliation, and reverence for human life. We then visit Noboricho Catholic Church, a community of faith in a place once devastated by war. In the evening, we gather for Mass and reflection, asking God for the grace of peace in our world and in every human heart.

This morning we transfer to Hiroshima Station and ride the bullet train to Kyoto, surrounded by serene landscapes and forested hills. In Kyoto, we visit Kawaramachi Catholic Church, connecting with the living witness of contemporary Japanese Catholics. We then tour the historic sites of Kyoto: the luminous torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, symbolizing spiritual journey and transition, and Nijo Castle, residence of shoguns, offering a window into imperial Japanese history. Through these visits, we come to understand how Christianity coexists amid centuries of Japanese cultural and spiritual heritage. Dinner and overnight in Kyoto.

Today we travel to Osaka and begin with a visit to the Cathedral of St. Mary, a sacred center for the Catholic community. Here we celebrate Mass and reflect on the faith as it lives and breathes in modern Japan. The rest of the day is time for personal cultural exploration—discovering the markets, architecture, food traditions, and friendliness of the Japanese people. Whether strolling through bustling Dōtonbori, sampling local cuisine like takoyaki, or enjoying the quiet beauty of Osaka’s riverbanks, today offers renewal, cultural appreciation, and gentle leisure.

This morning we take a bullet train north to Akita. Here we visit the Seitai Hoshikai Convent, where Our Lady of Akita appeared to Sister Agnes Sasagawa with messages of prayer, repentance, and devotion to the Eucharist. We spend time in the chapel, praying the Rosary and entrusting our intentions to Our Blessed Mother. Mass is celebrated here, in one of the most spiritually significant Marian sites in Asia. We end the day with quiet reflection and gratitude for the gentle but profound presence of Mary in this holy place.

Today is a slower, contemplative, and prayer-centered day. We join morning Mass and prayer at the convent, then enjoy open hours for quiet rest, spiritual journaling, Eucharistic adoration, and peaceful walking among the natural surroundings of Akita. Optional small excursions to nearby shrines or scenic spots may be offered, but the heart of the day is renewal—allowing God to speak in the stillness of our hearts and letting Our Lady’s message take root in us.

We take a local flight to Tokyo and arrive in the heart of the world’s largest metropolis—yet one where Christian faith quietly blossoms. We visit the majestic St. Mary’s Cathedral, known for its striking architectural form; the Franciscan Chapel Center, offering a vibrant English-speaking Catholic community; and Kanda Church, one of the earliest Catholic parishes in Tokyo, echoing with history and devotion. Through these visits we witness Christianity living dynamically within a bustling, innovative, global city.

Our last full day is one of gratitude. The morning offers leisure time—perhaps for personal touring, last-minute gifts, or simply enjoying the spirit of Tokyo. In the late afternoon we gather for our final group Mass, offering prayers of thanksgiving for the graces of the journey, the bonds formed, and the deep spiritual experiences we have shared. A final meal together marks the joyful closure of our journey, knowing we will carry its fruits home in our hearts.

We transfer to Haneda Airport and begin our journey back home. We depart Japan deeply enriched—having witnessed a faith that endured beneath the surface, a people shaped by reverence and resilience, and a Marian message of hope that speaks to the entire world. We return home not just as tourists, but as pilgrims transformed by encounter.