2026 Pilgrimage to Japan

This Catholic pilgrimage to Japan with Bishop Kicanas and Dcn. Ed Sheffer will offer a unique opportunity to explore the country’s rich Catholic heritage. It will be a blend of faith, history, and culture, providing a spiritually enriching experience. 

Catholicism has a storied history in Japan, as a religion brought over by Portuguese missionary Francis Xavier. Suppressed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the shoguns of the Edo period, many Japanese Catholics were either martyred or forced to go underground for over 200 years, becoming “hidden Christians.” Their legacy of faith and spiritual endurance lives on in the various monuments and relics they left behind. On this 15-day pilgrimage you will discover the inspiring history of Catholicism in Japan and how Catholics did everything they could to keep the Faith alive. You will see and experience things that will help you reflect deeply on your faith journey. 
  
Japan is home to some of the world’s most picturesque places, with a rich culture and a long history. A trip to Japan provides the opportunity to indulge in some authentic Kaiseki food that has evolved over a period of thousands of years, using ingredients that are hardly found in any other part of the world. Add to it a variety of traditional Japanese drinks. We will find many exciting experiences in this country. We will be staying in 4-Star hotel accommodation.

There is a unique beauty to Japan, and this will be a journey made to a sacred place. You have an experience of a lifetime waiting for you! So please join us. Come see for yourself. And bring a friend! 

Browse the detailed itinerary for more information and feel free to register and or contact Canterbury Pilgrimages – Max Syversen at 800-653-0017.

You may also contact Deacon Ed Sheffer at 520-577-8780, extension 111.