Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Join us on our first pilgrimage and cultural tour to Japan and South Korea (Our Lady of Akita and Naju). We will visit Tokyo, the vibrant capital of Japan, viewing the iconic Tokyo Tower, the Meiji Shrine and exploring the street food and markets. We will travel on the famous Bullet Train to Sendai and the highlight in Japan will be a guided visit of the Shrine of Our Lady of Akita followed by a traditional Japanese lunch of sashimi and the wonderful and well know Tea Ceremony where you can try on a Kimono! In South Korea, we join the very special celebration for international pilgrims and have 3 full days at the Shrine of Our Lady of Naju. We also have a cultural tour of South Korea and finish the pilgrimage in Seoul. Our pilgrimage includes a direct one-way flight from London Heathrow to Tokyo with British Airways and a direct one-way flight from Seoul to London Heathrow with Korean Air, all transfers and guided tours and visits as per the itinerary, daily Mass and 3*/4* half-board (breakfast and evening dinner) hotel accommodation.
A Brief History of Our Lady of Akita
Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa (the visionary) had many health problems for most of her life. Her health problems began from birth as she was born prematurely. Later in life, she was immobile for over a decade and eventually became totally deaf. In 1973, Marian apparitions were reported by Sister Sasagawa in the remote area of Yuzawadai, on the outskirts of Akita. Sister Sasagawa also reported to have a sudden healing of hearing impairments after these apparitions. A wooden statue representing the apparitions was venerated by the Japanese faithful and other Catholics and the weeping statue of the Virgin Mary was broadcast on Japanese national television in December 1973. The nuns at Yuzawadai reported stigmata on the wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that appeared before the tears started. The wooden statue was said to have wept on 101 occasions after which the stigmata disappeared.
A Brief History of Our Lady of Naju
In 1980, Julia Kim (the visionary) suffered terminal cancer and was about to do sinful act to end her life when her husband persuaded her to see a priest. Upon greeting her he declared that her sufferings were blessing from God. The priest gave her an 18-inch statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, which later came to be called the Lady of Naju. She was miraculously cured from her illness. In 1982 Julia Kim saw a vision of Jesus with his Sacred Heart bleeding and asking for suffering for the conversion of sinners. On 30th June 1985, she witnessed The Blessed Mother begun to weep tears through the statue owned by Julia. On July 18th, she received the first message of Our Lady. On 19th October 1986, Our Lady’s shed blood tears for the first time. She continued receiving messages up to 77 times, these messages of the combined Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Today, Julia Kim at the age of 77 still takes part in meeting pilgrims arriving from around the world. We hope to meet Julia in Naju.
London - Tokyo
Depart on our direct, non-stop flight from London Heathrow to Tokyo with British Airways. The provisional departure time is 09:10 (subject to change). The rest of today will be on board the 14-hour flight. In-flight meals are included.
Tokyo
Our flight arrival time is 07:00am, local time, (Japan is 9 hours ahead of the UK). Our local, English-speaking guide will meet us and we then transfer to our hotel in Tokyo, where we will stay for 3 nights. Check-in and lunch, followed by free time to rest and adjust to the local time. Later we meet for our first evening dinner and Mass at St Ignatius Catholic Church.
Tokyo
Breakfast in the hotel. We meet our local guide and first visit St Ignatius Catholic Church (Mass planned here). We proceed to Tokyo Tower, the world’s largest self-supporting steel tower, standing at an impressive 333 meters high. The tower is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice tower that is painted white and international orange and is a symbol of Japan’s post war re-birth. We then visit Meiji Shrine which was completed in 1920 and dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. The Shrine is adjacent to Yoyogi Park, a large forested area within the densely built-up city of Tokyo and offers many paths to take a relaxing stroll. Lunch followed by some free time to explore this wonderful city for the rest of the afternoon and/or time to relax. Evening dinner at the hotel.
Tokyo - Explore the street food & markets
Breakfast in the hotel and Mass afterwards. Free day to explore this vibrant and fascinating capital of Japan. We recommend exploring Tokyo’s famous street food & markets where you can sample the authentic and delicious local flavours. For optional tours, please contact us for details. Regroup in the evening for dinner at the hotel.
Tokyo - Sendai - Akita
Breakfast in the hotel. We meet our local guide and first visit the Himonya Catholic Church (Mass planned here). We then transfer to Tokyo station and take the bullet train to Sendai, Miyagi, the largest city in the Tohoku region. The famous shinkansen (aka bullet train) is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. After we arrive in Sendai, we have lunch and then transfer to Sendai Castle and afterwards Miyagi Sant Juan Bautista Museum. Sendai was once a haven for Christians in Japan and for some time the local lord was amenable towards Christianity and patronized them. However, this sentiment eventually changed as pressure mounted from the Shogunate and Christians were eventually persecuted here. The museum exhibits the history of this region as well as the travels of Hasekura Tsunenaga, a Japanese Christian and retainer of the Lord who would eventually be persecuted for his faith, who led a delegation to Europe and Rome. We then transfer by private coach to Akita. We will stop for a comfort break up this 3-hour journey. We check-in to our hotel in Akita, evening dinner and overnight here for 2 nights.
Shrine of our Lady of Akita
After breakfast, we meet our local guide and we have a guided visit of the Shrine. We have private Mass at Seitai Hoshikai, The Garden of Mary. We then travel to Akita Onsen Satomi and have a traditional Japanese lunch, including sashimi. You can also experience the hot springs here. We then visit Senshu Park and afterwards enjoy a traditional Tea Ceremony where we will drink tea in an ancient style tea ceremony room wearing Kimono. Return to the hotel and evening dinner.
Akita - Seoul - Naju
Early breakfast and then check-out. Transfer to the local airport for our flight to Seoul, South Korea. Upon arrival, we continue our journey to Naju, which is in the far south-west of the country. The area is famous for its fertile pear and rice growing farmland (rice being part of Korea’s staple diet), so sit back and enjoy the journey, soaking up the lush green farms and hills, and the picturesque mountains and valleys of this unique country. The journey time to Naju is 3-4 hours and we will have a comfort stop enroute to break up the journey. Upon arrival, check-in to our hotel and we meet up with our local guide for our first visit to the Blessed Mother’s Mountain, The Way of the Cross. Mass at the Shrine.
Naju Shrine - Special Celebration for Int’l Pilgrims
Breakfast will be delivered to our rooms in the morning. We will now have 3 full days at the Shrine, joining many pilgrims from around the world celebrating the 39th Anniversary of the Weeping Tears of Our Lady of Naju. We will have an introduction to Naju Shrine, witness Our Lady exuding fragrant oil, Jesus’ bloodstained garment turned into powder and visit the exhibits of Miraculous Signs in Naju. Evening dinner and at 7pm we join the Rosary and then Mass.
Naju Shrine - day 2 of the Celebration
Breakfast will be delivered to our rooms. Our day starts at the Blessed Mother’s Mountain and at 2pm, Stations of the Cross where Our Lord and the Blessed Mother accompany us shedding Blood. Evening dinner (5pm) at the Shrine prepared by the volunteers, followed by showers with the Miraculous Water followed by candlelight procession of Our Lady oozing Fragrant Oil. Afterwards, there will be an introduction of the clergy, group leaders and pilgrims followed by a Holy Rosary and Eucharistic Procession and Benediction and Holy Mass.
Naju Shrine - day 3 of the Celebration
After a late evening, extra time will be allowed to rest/sleep this morning and brunch will be delivered to our rooms. At 3pm, we walk to the Blessed Mother’s Mountain, taking shower with Miraculous Water and Personal Prayers. We have evening dinner at 5pm and afterwards Holy Mass. You will have the opportunity to meet with Mama Julia, one to one. It will be a wonderful evening to end the 3-day special celebration and pilgrimage here in Naju.
Naju - Mirinae Holy Site - Seoul
Breakfast will be delivered to our rooms in the morning. Today we check-out of our hotel, leaving Naju for Seoul. We stop at the Mirinae Holy Site - the final resting place of the first Catholic Saint Andreas Kim, who was martyred at the age of 26 and was buried here 40 days after his execution. If time permits, we visit a popular tourist site, the Cheongyecheon Stream - nature at its best in the city - where there is a 10km long walkway with many exit points. We can walk a short section of the stream, taking in its tranquillity and beauty. We might also be able to visit some of the vibrant and bustling shopping areas (Insadong & Myeongdong Streets). Mass at the Myeongdong Cathedral. Check-in to our hotel where we will stay for the final 2 nights of the pilgrimage. Evening dinner.
Seoul
Breakfast in the hotel and Mass in Myeongdong Cathedral followed by a visit to Gyeongbok Palace where we can experience wearing traditional Korean clothing (Hanbok). We visit Bukchon Hanok village (the residential quarter for high-ranking government officials during the Joseon period, 1392 - 1910) where you can see many houses that have been restored to the traditional Korean houses known as hanoks. Our final visit of the day is to Ikseon-Dong Hanok village, the street where the past and present coexist; we will see how both the old and new structures are huddled together in this very unique street. Farewell dinner in the hotel.
Seoul - London
We have an early breakfast, check-out and then proceed to Incheon airport, Seoul for our flight back to London Heathrow on our direct, non-stop flight with Korean Air. Provisional departure time is 10:50 (subject to change). The rest of the day will be on board this 14.5-hour flight. All in-flight meals included. Arrival at London Heathrow is 17:20 local time (subject to change).
The booking deadline at this price is 26/04/2024. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £1800 with your completed booking form will confirm your place on this tour. The final balance is due 2 months prior to the departure date.
We’ll mail your travel pack around two weeks before travelling, including your flight information, boarding passes (if applicable), general information booklet, hymn and prayer booklets, name badge, lanyard and luggage label.
All Saints Travel is an ATOL licence holder (no. 6049). In the very unlikely event of company insolvency, you are guaranteed a refund and repatriation back to the UK through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Travel Trust Fund (ATTF). Please visit www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection for further information.
It’s your responsibility to ensure you have a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of return, in addition to any visas required to travel to the relevant countries. Please call us on 01793 881166 for further information.
For the latest travel advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
While people of all ages are invited to travel on this tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required in order to keep pace with the group. There may be extended periods of standing and walking on hard surfaces.
It’s compulsory to have adequate travel insurance for your journey. You have the option of purchasing cover from Global Travel Insurance when booking with us, or you can buy your insurance independently.
