Pilgrimage to Japan NIPPON EXPRESS TRAVEL USA, INC.

PILGRIMAGE TO JAPAN
10DAYS / 8NIGHTS (PLUS OPTIONAL TOUR)

DAY 1-2 FLY FROM LOS ANGELES NONSTOP TO TOKYO
Depart from Los Angeles, crossing the International Date Line on an overnight flight. Upon arrival at New Tokyo International Airport (Narita Airport), transfer to a hotel in Tokyo. Accommodation in Tokyo.

DAY 3 TOKYO
City tour of Tokyo to visit : Tokyo Metropolis Government Building from which you will enjoy a panoramic view of Tokyo from the observatory floor; Meiji Shinto Shrine; and Harajuku District with "Ukiyoe" (woodblock prints) Ota Memorial Museum of Fine Art. In the late afternoon, the Mass at St.Mary's Cathedral. Accommodation in Tokyo.

DAY 4 TOKYO
The Mass at Catholic Kanda Church in the morning. After the Mass, a city tour of Tokyo which includes a visit to Asakusa, the district of Tokyo's old town which is steeped in the nostalgic atmosphere of Edo period while retaining a variety of traditional arts and craft. Visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which features the history and lifestyle of old Tokyo (formally called Edo); and the Ginza District, the most celebrated shopping and amusement area. Includes a visit a department store with a large variety of grocers. Accommodation in Tokyo.

DAY 5 TOKYO - AKITA
Leave Tokyo for Akita by JR "Shinkansen" bullet train. Upon arrival in Akita, visit Kanto Festival Center where you will see a demonstration of "Kanto", the bamboo pole with lighted lanterns for parade & festival in summer. In the late afternoon, visit the Convent of the Servants of the Holy Eucharist to see the wooden statue of Our Lady of Akita, which is declared as the miracle with the tears and message of Mary. Then, attend the Mass and Candle Light Rosary Procession at the Convent. Accommodation and dinner are provided by the Convent for a donation.

DAY 6 AKITA - KAKUNODATE - TAZAWAKO - SENDAI
The Mass at the Convent in early morning. Leave Akita for Sendai, en route visiting "Little Kyoto" Kakunodate with Old Samurai Residences ; and Lake Tazawa with mysterious sapphire-blue water. Accommodation in Sendai.

DAY 7 SENDAI - KAWASAKI - AKIU SPA
Attend the Mass at Motoderakoji Church in the morning. After the Mass, continue to Kawasaki Town, the site related to Tsunenaga Hasekura (1571-1622?). Hasekura was the ambassador of Lord Masamune Date and he visited Pope Paul V in the 17th century by passing traveling over the Pacific Ocean, Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. (Unfortunately, after Hasekura's return to Japan, he was confined in a secret place and all documents about his travel were dispersed because Christianity had been forbidden in Japan before his return.). You will visit Enchozan Enfukuji Temple in Kawasaki Town to see a statue of the Virgin Mary imaged after a Buddhist Goddess and the tomb of Tsunenaga Hasekura. Then, head to Akiu Spa, the old hot spring whose origin is in the 6th century. Enjoy a hot spring bath and Japanese style dinner at hotel.

DAY 8 AKIU SPA - (SENDAI) - KYOTO
Transfer back to Sendai to board JR "Shinkansen" bullet trains for Kyoto via Tokyo. Upon arrival in Kyoto, brief sightseeing of the city such as Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion; and Ryoanji Temple with the garden arranged in the "kare-sansui" (dry landscape) style. Accommodation in Kyoto.

DAY 9 KYOTO
In the morning, attend the Mass at Kawaramachi Cathedral. After the Mass, take the city tour of Kyoto. You will visit Nijo Castle; Heian Shinto Shrine with its inner garden; Kiyomizu Temple; and enjoy strolling around Ninen-zaka & Sannen-zaka hill . In the night, visit Gion Corner to enjoy a delightful pageant of Japanese traditional arts as "koto" strings music, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, "gagaku" ancient court music and dance, "kyogen" classical comic theater, "kyo-mai" Kyoto style Japanese dance by "Maiko" girls and "bunraku" puppet drama. Accommodation in Kyoto.

<OPTIONAL TOUR - NAGASAKI>
DAY 10 KYOTO - DEPARTURE FROM JAPAN
Transfer to Kansai International Airport (Osaka) for your return flight.

DAY 10 KYOTO - NAGASAKI
Transfer to Itami Domestic Airport (Osaka) for your flight to Nagasaki. Upon arrival at Nagasaki, start a city tour including the Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan; Peace Memorial Park; Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum; and Urakami Cathedral for the Mass. Accommodation at Catholic Center in Nagasaki.

DAY 11 NAGASAKI - HIRADO - NAGASAKI
Morning city tour of Nagasaki to visit : Glover Mansion; and Oura Catholic Church. In the afternoon, go to Hirado to visit St.Francisco Xavier Cathedral (for the Mass); and Hirado Museum. Return to the Catholic Center in Nagasaki.

DAY 12 NAGASAKI - DEPART FROM JAPAN
After the Mass at Urakami Cathedral in the morning, transfer to Nagasaki Airport for your return flight.