Itineraries / 12-Day Akita Journey

Marian devotion & Catholic heritage

12-Day Tokyo, Nagasaki, Kansai & Akita Pilgrimage

Flexible dates · Follow Japan’s Catholic story from the martyrs and Hidden Christians of Nagasaki to the Marian devotion of Akita—without travel to Hiroshima.

The journey at a glance

Tokyo, Nagasaki, Kansai & Akita route

Travel from Tokyo and Mount Fuji to Nagasaki and Kansai, ending in Akita.

Route map for the 12-day pilgrimage: Tokyo, Nagasaki, Kansai & Akita route.
Tap the map for a larger view, or explore the interactive map.

12 days / 11 nights

From Nagasaki’s martyrs to Our Lady of Akita.

Begin in Tokyo and at Mount Fuji, spend four nights exploring Nagasaki’s Catholic heritage, experience Osaka, Nara and Kyoto, then fly north for two nights in Akita.

12 days5 regionsDaily Mass*
Day00

Overnight flight to Tokyo

Overnight in flight

Depart from your home country on an overnight international flight to Tokyo.

  • International departure
  • Overnight aboard aircraft
Day01

Tokyo arrival & Imperial Palace

Overnight Tokyo

Airport pickup and transfer to Takanawa Church for Holy Mass. As time permits, visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens—or the Outer Gardens when arrival timing is limited.

  • Airport transfer
  • Takanawa Church
  • Imperial Palace gardens

Hotel: Henn na Hotel Tokyo Haneda or similar · Twin room approximately 24㎡

Day02

Mount Fuji pilgrimage

Overnight Tokyo

Drive to Mount Fuji for prayer at the Statue of Our Lady near the Second Station. Descend for Holy Mass at Fujiyoshida Church before returning to Tokyo.

  • Our Lady of Mount Fuji
  • Prayer and reflection
  • Fujiyoshida Church

Hotel: Same as previous night

Day03

Nagasaki & Shimabara

Overnight Nagasaki

Fly to Nagasaki and continue to the Shimabara Peninsula. Celebrate Mass at Shimabara Church, remember persecuted Christians at the Unzen Hell Memorial, and visit the Wooden St. Mary Memorial Hall.

  • Flight to Nagasaki
  • Shimabara Church
  • Unzen martyrdom site
  • St. Mary Memorial Hall

Hotel: Hotel Victoria Nagasaki Chinatown or similar · Twin room approximately 27㎡

Day04

Twenty-Six Martyrs & peace

Overnight Nagasaki

Celebrate Mass and visit the Twenty-Six Martyrs Monument and Museum at Nishizaka. Continue to Nyokodō, where Dr. Takashi Nagai wrote about faith and peace, followed by evening views from Mount Inasa.

  • Twenty-Six Martyrs
  • Nyokodō
  • Mount Inasa

Hotel: Same as previous night

Day05

Hirado Hidden Christian heritage

Overnight Nagasaki

Celebrate Mass at Hirado Church, visit red-brick Tabira Church and reflect at Yakizaiji Historical Park, a martyrdom site preserving the memory of Christians killed during the persecution era.

  • Hirado Church
  • Tabira Church
  • Yakizaiji martyrdom site

Hotel: Same as previous night

Day06

Nagasaki Catholic heritage

Overnight Nagasaki

Celebrate Mass at Hongōchi Church, visit Ōura Cathedral and learn about the discovery of the Hidden Christians. Continue to the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park for reflection on suffering and reconciliation.

  • Hongōchi Church
  • Ōura Cathedral
  • Atomic Bomb Museum
  • Peace Park

Hotel: Same as previous night

Day07

Nagasaki to Osaka

Overnight Osaka

Travel by Shinkansen to Osaka. Celebrate Holy Mass at Tamatsukuri Church and visit Osaka Castle, whose history helps illuminate the political world in which Japan’s early Christians lived.

  • Shinkansen journey
  • Tamatsukuri Church
  • Osaka Castle

Hotel: Osaka Riverside Hotel or similar · Twin room approximately 16–21㎡

Day08

Nara—ancient capital

Overnight Osaka

Celebrate Mass at Nara Church, then visit Nara Park, Tōdai-ji and Kasuga Taisha. The day introduces the religious and cultural traditions encountered by Japan’s early missionaries.

  • Nara Church
  • Nara Park
  • Tōdai-ji
  • Kasuga Taisha

Hotel: Same as previous night

Day09

Kyoto martyrs & culture

Overnight Osaka

Celebrate Mass at Kyoto Kawaramachi Church, visit UNESCO-listed Nijō Castle and pass the Kagiya-chō Martyrs Monument along the Kamo River, commemorating Christians executed in 1619.

  • Kyoto Kawaramachi Church
  • Nijō Castle
  • Kagiya-chō martyrs

Hotel: Same as previous night

Day10

Flight to Akita

Overnight Akita

Fly from Osaka Itami Airport to Akita. Celebrate Holy Mass at Tsuchizaki Church and begin learning about the Marian devotion and reported events associated with Sister Agnes Sasagawa and Our Lady of Akita.

  • Flight to Akita
  • Tsuchizaki Church
  • Marian pilgrimage

Hotel: Richmond Hotel Akita or similar · Twin room approximately 21–23㎡

Day11

Our Lady of Akita & Kakunodate

Overnight Akita

Celebrate Mass at the convent of the Handmaids of the Holy Eucharist and pray before the statue of Our Lady of Akita. Continue to Kakunodate’s preserved samurai district and Aoyagi Samurai Manor.

  • Akita convent
  • Our Lady of Akita
  • Kakunodate
  • Aoyagi Samurai Manor

Hotel: Same as previous night

Day12

Departure from Akita

Journey concludes

Transfer to Akita Airport for departure, carrying memories of Nagasaki’s martyrs, Japan’s Hidden Christians and the Marian pilgrimage to Akita.

  • Hotel checkout
  • Akita Airport transfer
  • Departure flight
Route focus: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Nagasaki, Kansai and Akita. This itinerary intentionally does not include Hiroshima.
Request the 12-day Akita proposal