Japan Pilgrimage
Fourteen days across Japan in autumn, from Tokyo and Mount Fuji to Our Lady of Akita, Kyoto, Hiroshima and the martyrs’ city of Nagasaki, celebrating Mass in its historic churches.
Your group leader and chaplain
Lynn Berhalter
Fr. Thomas Quinn
Fr. Thomas Quinn travels with us for the whole pilgrimage, offering daily Mass, confession and the sacraments.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
John 12:24
Japan’s Christians kept the faith in secret for more than two centuries after the martyrdoms of 1597. At Oura Church, dedicated to the Twenty-Six Martyrs, they made themselves known to a French priest in 1865.
Oura Church · Nagasaki
Japan, November 8 to 21, 2027
Fourteen days, twelve nights in Tokyo, Akita, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with Mount Fuji, Osaka and two free days along the way.
Our Pilgrimage Begins
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States for our overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan.
Arrival in Tokyo
Upon arrival in Tokyo, our local professional tour escort will greet us and accompany us to our hotel for check-in. We begin our pilgrimage with Mass before gathering this evening for a welcome dinner together.
Tokyo
Our first full day in Tokyo opens at the Meiji Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set within a peaceful forested area in the heart of the city. Emperor Meiji ushered in a transformative period of renewal and reform that led to the industrialization and Westernization of Japan in the 19th century. The Shinto faith is the broader religious context in which Japan’s Hidden Christians lived during the centuries when Christianity was outlawed. We then visit the famous Shibuya Crossing before celebrating Mass at Takanawa Catholic Church, a beautiful church in one of Tokyo’s most historic districts, built near the site where at least 50 Catholics were burned on a bridge during the Edo Massacre of 1643. The afternoon takes us to the Imperial Palace, seat of the Imperial Household known as the Chrysanthemum Throne, the oldest continuously existing institution in the world, with a Japanese Emperor in place since 660 BC.
Tokyo & Mount Fuji
This morning we travel to Mount Fuji, the iconic symbol of Japan, still an active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We ascend to the 5th Station, the highest point reachable by vehicle, offering sweeping views of the mountain and surrounding landscape. We then visit Oshino Hakkai, a picturesque village with crystal-clear spring water fed by the snows of Mount Fuji. Returning to Tokyo, we celebrate Mass at St. Mary Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Japan, designed by renowned architect Kenzo Tange and recognized as an architectural inspiration for churches around the world.
Free Day in Tokyo
Today we enjoy a free day in Tokyo. You may consider visiting the historic Asakusa district with its Senso-ji Temple, the tranquil gardens of Hamarikyu, the fashionable boutiques of Ginza, or the lively streets of Harajuku. We gather again for dinner this evening.
Tokyo & Akita
Following breakfast, we make our way to the train station for our Shinkansen bullet train journey north to Akita. Upon arrival, we travel to the Seitai Hoshikai Convent, site of the apparitions of Our Lady of Akita. Beginning in 1973, the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Akita was witnessed shedding tears on numerous occasions until the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in 1981. We celebrate Mass in the convent chapel before touring the grounds and gardens where the apparitions took place.
Akita, Osaka & Kyoto
We transfer to Akita Airport this morning for our flight to Osaka, briefly the capital of Japan in the 7th and 8th centuries. Upon arrival, we visit Osaka Castle, the most celebrated castle in Japan, and celebrate Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral before continuing to Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan, renowned for its rich history and culture.
Kyoto
Our day in Kyoto begins with a walk through the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, one of Japan’s most photographed landscapes. We then visit Nijo-jo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its beautifully preserved gardens and legendary nightingale floors, which produce a chirping sound when walked upon as an early warning system against intruders. We celebrate Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, known as Kawaramachi Church, a modern church that incorporates elements of traditional Shinto architecture into its design. We conclude the day with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, one of Kyoto’s great cultural experiences.
Free Day in Kyoto
Today we enjoy a free day in Kyoto. You may consider exploring the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermilion torii gates, strolling through the historic streets of Gion in search of traditional teahouses, visiting the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, or admiring the golden beauty of Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). We gather again for dinner this evening.
Kyoto & Hiroshima
Departing Kyoto, we board the Shinkansen for Hiroshima. Upon arrival, we visit the ruins of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, one of the only buildings left standing after the atomic bomb detonation on August 6, 1945, now preserved as part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which documents the tragic events of the bombing and Hiroshima’s long journey toward peace and reconciliation. We celebrate Mass at the Assumption of Mary Cathedral, built by a priest who survived the atomic bombing and later designated a Memorial Cathedral for World Peace.
Hiroshima & Nagasaki
This morning we board the Shinkansen for Nagasaki, the site of the second atomic bomb detonation and the historical center of early Christianity in Japan. Upon arrival, we visit the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument on Nishizaka Hill, which tells the extraordinary story of the Holy Martyrs killed here for practicing their faith in 1597. We then visit Nakamachi Church, known for its peaceful atmosphere and deep connection to Nagasaki’s Christian heritage. We celebrate Mass here before settling in for the evening.
Nagasaki
Our morning opens with Mass at St. Felippo de Jesus Church, a striking Catholic church named for one of the first Mexican Catholic martyrs and designed by a Japanese Catholic architect inspired by Antoni Gaudí. We then visit the Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan, known as Oura Church, said to be the oldest standing Christian church in Japan. The afternoon takes us to Dejima, the small artificial island in Nagasaki Bay where Dutch traders were confined during Japan’s period of isolation, today a fascinating museum offering a glimpse into Japan’s carefully controlled interaction with the outside world during the Edo period. We conclude with a visit to Glover Garden, an open-air museum showcasing Western-style residences built by foreign merchants in the late 19th century, with stunning views of the city and harbor.
Nagasaki
We begin the day with Mass at Urakami Cathedral, the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral destroyed by the atomic bomb and subsequently rebuilt as a testament to the enduring faith of the Urakami Christian community. We then tour Hypocenter Park, a peaceful memorial marking the precise spot where the atomic bomb detonated on August 9, 1945. The afternoon takes us to Hongouchi Monastery, a Franciscan monastery founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe, which houses a museum with his relics and a replica Lourdes grotto he had constructed. This evening we gather for our Farewell Dinner before ascending Mt. Inasa for a final panoramic view of Nagasaki by night.
Return home
With hearts renewed by the grace of this pilgrimage and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we transfer to Nagasaki Airport for our return flight home to the United States.
What’s included
Everything below is covered by the package price.
Your hotels in Japan
Four-star hotels throughout: four nights in Tokyo, one in Akita, three in Kyoto, one in Hiroshima and three in Nagasaki. Hotels are subject to final confirmation; if a hotel changes, it is replaced with one of the same standard.
Price per person
Per person, including roundtrip group airfare. Premium economy and business class are available: call us for pricing.
Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. If you would like us to match you with a roommate, tell us when you book and we will do our best. Please note that if we cannot find you a match by the final payment date of August 10, 2027, the single room supplement will apply.
Couples, families, friends, singles, all are welcome!
Some pilgrims come as a couple, some bring the whole family, some come with a friend from the parish, and plenty come on their own. Everyone is welcome.
$200 per person is non-refundable.
Final payment is due 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
Check
ACH bank transfer
Zelle
Cash, money order or cashier’s check
Japan in autumn
November 8 to 21, 2027, with Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Fr. Thomas Quinn. Reserve today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Questions? Call +1 (800) 653-0017 or email hello@canterburypilgrimages.com.
Secure your spot today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Frequently asked questions
This is an active program that covers a good amount of ground each day. Expect a wake-up call around 7am, departure by 9am and a return to the hotel between 5pm and 6pm. You should be able to walk 3 to 4 miles a day at a moderate pace, with uneven surfaces, stairs and some slopes. Travel days include Shinkansen bullet trains and a domestic flight from Akita to Osaka, so pack a suitcase you can manage on and off a train.
Expect mild autumn days with cool mornings and evenings in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is colder in Akita in the north and at Mount Fuji’s 5th Station. Bring layers, a warm jacket and comfortable walking shoes.
You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond the return date; passport cards are not accepted for international travel. US citizens do not currently need a visa for a short visit to Japan. Entry rules can change before 2027, and we will tell you about any new requirement before departure. If you hold another passport, check the visa rules for your nationality. We need your passport details at least 90 days before departure.
Rates are per person based on two pilgrims sharing a room. Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds, and rooms in Japan usually have twin beds. If you are travelling alone we will try to match you with a roommate of the same gender; if we cannot, the single room supplement applies.
Yes. The land-only price is $6,695 per person. Tell us at registration so we can line your arrival up with the group’s in Tokyo on November 9 and its departure from Nagasaki on November 21.
Final payment is due on August 10, 2027, 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
We strongly encourage travel insurance for all of our pilgrims, and we partner with Allianz Travel Insurance to offer affordable coverage. Most of our pilgrims choose the Classic Plan. Insurance can be quoted and purchased after registration.
A pilgrimage is not a vacation or excursion but a unique spiritual journey that provides many opportunities to deepen your relationship with God and enrich your Catholic faith by bringing Scripture to life. Pilgrimages offer the opportunity to let Christ draw you near.
More questions are answered in our Support Center, covering booking, payments, travel insurance, passports and what to expect on pilgrimage.