The Martyrs of Japan:
In the Footsteps of the Hidden Christians
Hirado – Nagasaki – Goto Islands – Shimabara – Amakusa
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Tour Dates
May 19-28, 2027 (10 Days / 9 Nights) -
Group size
Limited to 30 people
A Spiritual Pilgrimage to the Lands of the Hidden Christians
Follow the spiritual leadership of Dr. Randy Furushima, Executive Director of the Emmaus Center for Biblical Teaching, as you journey through the lands where Japanese Christians lived, suffered, and kept the faith alive in secret.
Each day combines biblical reflection, historical insight, prayer, and meaningful encounters with the enduring witness of the Hidden Christians.
Signature Experiences
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Spiritual Renewal
We will have "teaching devotions" at selected sites, which is a distinctive feature of pilgrimages of the Emmaus Center for Biblical Teaching. These are onsite moments for reading, reflection, and prayer.
Travel Route
The Pilgrimage begins and ends in Nagasaki. We will meet at the Nagasaki Airport. Participants are responsible for finding their own way to and from the Nagasaki Airport.
Curated Accommodations
Handpicked first-class and boutique hotels
• Hirado 2 nights
• Goto Islands 2 nights
• Nagasaki 4 nights
• Amakusa 1 night
Room: 355 sq.ft • Twin (2 beds)
Open-air hot spring bath
Room: 334 sq. ft. • Twin (2 beds)
Room: 336 sq.ft. • Twin (2 beds)
Room: 269-301 sq.ft. • Twin (2 beds)
Panoramic Ocean-View Hot Spring Bath
Room: 387 sq.ft. • Twin (2 beds)
Savor an abundant buffet showcasing the freshest seafood from the Hirado coast, complemented by over 50 Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes.
Gentle Italian cuisine crafted seafood and seasonal vegetables from Goto.
Traditional shared-platter dinner featuring premium Nagasaki cuisine, blending Japanese and Chinese culinary traditions.
Savor an exquisite multi-course dinner featuring the finest seasonal ingredients and regional specialties.
Culinary Experiences
Upgraded dining included:
• 9 breakfasts
• 7 lunches
• 6 dinners
• 1 coffee or tea break
Journey Outline
A day-by-day overview
Day 1 (May 19): Arrival in the Land of Hidden Faith
Arrival in Nagasaki; welcome transfer; evening devotion.
Hirado Tabira Hot Spring Samson Hotel
B: × | L: × | D: Hotel buffet
Day 2 (May 20): Hidden Faith in Hirado
Reflect at UNESCO Hidden Christian sites, Kasuga village and Ikitsuki Museum; evening devotion.
Hirado Tabira Hot Spring Samson Hotel
B: ◎ | L: ◎ | D: Hotel buffet
Day 3 (May 21): Journeying to the Isolated Isles of Hope
Gaze over Kujukushima Islands; ferry to Kamigoto Island; evening devotion.
Goto Islands Resort Hotel Margherita
B: ◎ | L: ◎ | D: Hotel Italian Cuisine
Day 4 (May 22): Quiet Devotion in Remote Sanctuaries
Visit Kashiragashima Cathedral and its village, Hamakushi Village, and scenic Tsuwazaki, evening devotion.
Goto Islands Resort Hotel Margherita
B: ◎ | L: Goto Udon Specialty | D: Hotel Western Course
Day 5 (May 23): Returning to Nagasaki, the City of Witness
Jetfoil to Nagasaki; visit Oura Cathedral & Glover Garden; evening devotion.
Hilton Nagasaki
B: ◎ | L: ◎ | D: Nagasaki Shippoku Cuisine
Day 6 (May 24): Martyrdom, Memory, and Eternal Peace
Honor martyrs at 26 Martyrs Museum, Peace Park, and Atomic Bomb Museum; evening devotion.
Hilton Nagasaki
B: ◎ | L: ◎| D: ×
Day 7 (May 25): The Sacred Ruins of Shimabara & Amakusa
Visit Hara Castle ruins and Arima Christian Museum; transfer Amakusa; evening devotion.
Hotel Alegria Gardens Amakusa
B: ◎ | L: ◎| D: Hotel Kaiseki
Day 8 (May 26): The Unshakable Faith of Sakitsu
Explore Amakusa Museum and iconic Sakitsu Church & Village; return to Nagasaki hotel; evening devotion.
Mariott Nagasaki
B: ◎ | L: ◎ | D: ×
Day 9 (May 27): Reflections of Love and Legacy in Sotome
Morning at leisure; visit Sotome Village, Shitsu Church, and the panoramic views from Sotome Observatory; final devotion.
Mariott Nagasaki
B: ◎ | L: × | D: ×
Day 10 (May 28): Departing with Renewed Faith and Hope
Morning checkout; private airport transfer; farewell and return journey home with renewed faith.
×
B: ◎ | L: × | D:
B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner | ◎: Included in the tour fee | ×: Not included in the tour fee or self-pay
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Detailed Itinerary
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YOUR PILGRIMAGE INVESTMENT
Double Occupancy
¥
512,040
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Approx. US$3,217.00
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(Price in US$ is for reference only)
Single Occupancy
¥
603,840
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Approx. US$3,794.00
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(Price in US$ is for reference only)
Included in Your Journey
- Accommodations: 9 nights based on double occupancy or single occupancy.
・ Due to the limited room configurations at hotels in rural areas, accommodations will be provided in twin-bed rooms by default. Guests requesting single occupancy will be assigned either a twin-bed room or, exclusively at the Nagasaki Marriott Hotel, a king-bed room.
・Triple rooms are not available. - Transportation:
・Private vehicle throughout the itinerary
・Round-trip Jetfoil and ferry to the Goto Islands - Meals: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
- Professional English-speaking tour guide throughout the journey.
- All sightseeing, curated experiences, entrance fees, and pilgrimage activities included in the itinerary.
- One bottle of mineral water (500 ml / 16-17 oz) per guest per day, from day 2 to day 9.
Not Included
- Travel insurance.
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare not included in the international airfare.
- Transportation outside the itinerary.
- Food and beverages not specified in the itinerary.
- Tipping for the guide.
- Visa fees and personal expenses.
Payment terms
- Payment Method: Payments are processed securely via Flywire. A personalized payment link will be sent directly to your email, allowing you to pay by credit card or PayPal without creating an account. Simply click the link and follow the prompts to complete your transaction.
- Invoices are issued in Japanese Yen (JPY). When paying via Flywire.com, the amount will be automatically converted into your local currency (e.g., US$) using Flywire.com’s real-time exchange rate.
- Deposit: A deposit of JPY 50,000 (approx. US$314.00) per customer is required at the time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable.
- The balance invoice will be issued 60 days prior to arrival.
- In the event of any changes or cancellations after payment has been made, any applicable refund will be issued in the same currency as the original invoice.
Cancellation Policy
- From booking to 31 days prior to arrival: 0%, except for the non-refundable deposit.
- 30–15 days prior to arrival: 50%
- 14–3 days prior to arrival: 80%
- Within 3 days prior to arrival or later: 100%
- Itinerary flexibility: The sequence of sightseeing and activities may change depending on conditions on the tour day.
- Non-participation: During the tour, if you choose not to participate in any part of the itinerary, you will be considered to have opted out automatically, and no refunds will be provided.
- Tattoo policy: Customers with tattoos may be prohibited from entering public baths. Please inquire with us for specific situations.
- Special dietary requests (vegan, vegetarian, halal, allergies, etc.): While we will do our best to accommodate your dietary requests, please note that some restaurants may prepare special meals in the same kitchen and with the same utensils used for regular dishes.
- Medical assistance: Our staff is not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice or treatment. Guests are responsible for carrying any necessary medications and managing their personal healthcare needs while traveling.
- Visa: If you need to apply for a tourist visa to Japan, we can assist by providing instructions and the necessary documents free of charge.
- Images are for illustration purposes only.
- The itinerary may be changed to suit the actual situation during the trip.