{"id":471,"date":"2026-09-07T18:34:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T16:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/?p=471"},"modified":"2026-09-08T21:07:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T19:07:39","slug":"program-1-2-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/?p=471","title":{"rendered":"Japan \u2013 Pilgrimage Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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PROGRAM Japan
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The Hidden Faith of Japan \u2013 in the footsteps of the Martyrs,
\nSt. Maximilian Kolbe and
\nOur Lady of Akita\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Discover the hidden Christian story of Japan \u2013 a land of martyrs, communities that preserved their faith in secret, and remarkable witnesses of hope and peace.<br><\/span> Follow the footsteps of St. Maximilian Kolbe, encounter the legacy of the Hidden Christians, and pray at the Shrine of Our Lady of Akita.<br><\/span> Along the way, experience Japan\u2019s ancient traditions, vibrant cities and unique culture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Tokyo \u2013 Akita \u2013 Kyoto \u2013 Nara \u2013 Osaka \u2013 Hiroshima \u2013 Miyajima \u2013 Nagasaki \u2013 Sotome<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Day 1
Tokyo<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Catholic Tokyo<\/strong><\/p>

Begin exploring Tokyo by private motorcoach<\/strong>. Visit St. Mary\u2019s Cathedral<\/strong>, a striking landmark of modern Japanese architecture, followed by Holy Mass<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Tradition & Modern Tokyo<\/strong><\/p>

Visit Meiji Jingu<\/strong>, set within a peaceful forest in the heart of the city. Continue to Shibuya Crossing<\/strong>, an icon of contemporary Tokyo. Overnight in Tokyo.<\/p>

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Day 2
Tokyo<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Old Tokyo<\/strong><\/p>

Discover Asakusa and Sens\u014d-ji<\/strong>, Tokyo\u2019s oldest Buddhist temple. Walk along Nakamise Street<\/strong> and experience the atmosphere of old Tokyo.<\/p>

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Afternoon \u2013 Japanese Traditions & Tokyo Views<\/strong><\/p>

Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony<\/strong>, an introduction to the rituals of hospitality and attention to detail. See the city from above at Tokyo Skytree<\/strong>, one of the world\u2019s tallest towers. Overnight in Tokyo.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 3
Tokyo \u2013 Akita<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Journey to Northern Japan<\/strong><\/p>

Travel by Shinkansen<\/strong> from Tokyo to Akita, watching Japan\u2019s great cities give way to the landscapes of the north.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Our Lady of Akita<\/strong><\/p>

Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Akita<\/strong>, associated with the apparitions to Sr. Agnes Sasagawa beginning in 1973. Holy Mass<\/strong> and time for prayer before the statue of Our Lady. Overnight in Akita.<\/strong><\/p>

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Day 4
Akita \u2013 Kyoto<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 A Time for Prayer<\/strong><\/p>

Return to the Shrine of Our Lady of Akita<\/strong> for quiet prayer and time in Mary\u2019s Garden<\/strong>.<\/p>

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Afternoon \u2013 Journey to Imperial Japan<\/strong><\/p>

Travel by Shinkansen via Tokyo<\/strong> to Kyoto<\/strong>, Japan\u2019s ancient imperial capital and the heart of its traditional culture. Overnight in Kyoto.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 5
Kyoto <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 St. Francis Xavier in Kyoto<\/strong><\/p>

Explore Kyoto by private motorcoach<\/strong>, beginning at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral<\/strong> and the story of the Jesuit missionary who brought Christianity to Japan in 1549. Holy Mass<\/strong> at the cathedral<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Imperial Kyoto<\/strong><\/p>

Discover Nij\u014d Castle<\/strong>, once the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, and walk through the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove<\/strong>. Overnight in Kyoto.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 6
Kyoto \u2013 Nara \u2013 Osaka \u2013 Kyoto<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Ancient Nara<\/strong><\/p>

Travel by private motorcoach<\/strong> to Nara<\/strong>, Japan\u2019s first permanent capital. Visit T\u014ddai-ji<\/strong>, home to the monumental Great Buddha, and walk among the deer of Nara Park<\/strong>.<\/p>

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Afternoon \u2013 Osaka & the Catholic Samurai<\/strong><\/p>

Continue to Osaka Castle<\/strong> and discover the story of Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon<\/strong>, a Catholic samurai lord who chose exile rather than renounce his faith. End the day among the lights, street life and flavors of D\u014dtonbori<\/strong>. Return to Kyoto for overnight.<\/p>

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Day 7
Kyoto \u2013 Hiroshima<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Journey to Hiroshima<\/strong><\/p>

Travel by Shinkansen<\/strong> to Hiroshima and continue by private motorcoach<\/strong>. Visit the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace<\/strong>, built as a symbol of remembrance, reconciliation and hope.<\/p>

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Afternoon \u2013 Memory & Peace<\/strong><\/p>

Walk through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park<\/strong> and see the Atomic Bomb Dome<\/strong>, preserved as a witness to the destruction of 1945. Time for prayer and reflection on peace and human dignity. Overnight in Hiroshima.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 8
Hiroshima \u2013 Miyajima \u2013 Nagasaki<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Sacred Miyajima<\/strong><\/p>

Travel by private motorcoach and ferry<\/strong> to Miyajima<\/strong>, one of Japan\u2019s most celebrated sacred islands. Visit Itsukushima Shrine<\/strong> and its iconic torii gate rising from the sea.<\/p>

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Afternoon \u2013 Island Traditions & Journey South<\/strong><\/p>

Time to experience Miyajima\u2019s traditional streets, temples and sacred landscape<\/strong>, where Japanese spirituality and nature have been intertwined for centuries. Return to Hiroshima and continue by Shinkansen to Nagasaki<\/strong>. Overnight in Nagasaki.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 9
Nagasaki<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Martyrs of Japan<\/strong><\/p>

Explore Nagasaki by private motorcoach<\/strong>. Visit Nishizaka Hill<\/strong>, where St. Paul Miki and his companions were crucified in 1597, and the memorial to the 26 Martyrs of Japan<\/strong>.<\/p>

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Afternoon \u2013 The Living Legacy of St. Maximilian Kolbe<\/strong><\/p>

Visit Mugenzai no Sono \u2013 the Japanese \u201cNiepokalan\u00f3w\u201d<\/strong>, founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe in 1931. Discover the monastery, Hongouchi Lourdes<\/strong> and the remarkable story of Seibo no Kishi<\/em> \u2013 the Japanese Knight of the Immaculate<\/em>, founded by Kolbe and still published today. Overnight in Nagasaki.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 10
Nagasaki \u2013 Sotome \u2013 Nagasaki<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Land of the Hidden Christians<\/strong><\/p>

Travel by private motorcoach<\/strong> to Sotome<\/strong>, a remote coastal region where Christian communities preserved their faith in secret through generations of persecution. Visit Shitsu Church<\/strong>, built for descendants of the Hidden Christians after Christianity was once again permitted in Japan.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Faith Kept in Secret<\/strong><\/p>

Continue through Sotome\u2019s Christian heritage and dramatic coastal landscape<\/strong>, discovering the story of communities that survived for more than two centuries without priests. Return to Nagasaki for overnight.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 11
Nagasaki<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 The Hidden Faith Revealed<\/strong><\/p>

Visit \u014cura Cathedral<\/strong>, where descendants of Japan\u2019s Hidden Christians revealed their faith to a French missionary in 1865, after more than two centuries without priests. Continue exploring Nagasaki by private motorcoach<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Takashi Nagai: Faith & Peace<\/strong><\/p>

Visit Urakami Cathedral<\/strong>, rebuilt after the atomic bombing, and the Takashi Nagai Memorial Museum<\/strong>, dedicated to the Catholic physician whose life became a witness of faith, forgiveness and peace. Overnight in Nagasaki.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 12
Nagasaki<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Nagasaki Across Cultures<\/strong><\/p>

Explore Nagasaki by private motorcoach<\/strong> and visit Glover Garden<\/strong>, overlooking the harbor and telling the story of the city\u2019s centuries-old encounter with the outside world.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 A Pilgrimage Completed<\/strong><\/p>

Time for Holy Mass<\/strong> and a final moment together before departure. Depending on the group\u2019s flight arrangements, the pilgrimage may conclude in Nagasaki or continue to Tokyo for the journey home.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 13
Nagasaki \u2013 Departure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Departure \u2013 Journey Home<\/strong><\/p>

Transfer by private motorcoach<\/strong> to Nagasaki Airport. Depart for the United States, with connecting flights arranged according to the best available itinerary.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCreate Your Pilgrimage<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n Make This Pilgrimage Your Own<\/strong>\n <\/h3>\n\n

\n \n This is a sample itinerary. Your pilgrimage can be shaped around your group\u2019s spiritual focus, pace and available time \u2013 from deeper exploration of Christian Nagasaki to Mount Fuji, the Samurai heritage of Japan or additional days in Tokyo and Kyoto.\n <\/strong>\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Departure arrangements can also be tailored to the most convenient international flight connections for your group.\n <\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover Japan through its hidden Christian heritage, remarkable culture, and places where faith endured against all odds. A pilgrimage unlike any other.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":473,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-program"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=471"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":589,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/471\/revisions\/589"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}