DEPARTURE PERTH > KUALA LUMPUR > FUKUOKA

You will gather at Perth Airport by 1:00 PM for your departure at 3:50 PM. Arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 9:55 PM (approx. 6h 5m). Dinner will be served on board.

You will then transit to your connecting flight to Japan, departing at 11:45 PM (approx. 6h 20m). Those travelling from Malaysia will join the group from this point onwards.

Overnight: On the plane.

FUKUOKA > HIRADO

Upon arrival at 7:05 AM, you will clear immigration and meet your local guide before boarding the coach to Hirado (115 km, approx. 2h 20m). Upon arrival, an early lunch will be arranged.

After lunch, you will celebrate a private Holy Mass at a local church.

Next, visit the Matsuura Museum, where you will discover the history and cultural heritage of Hirado and the influential Matsuura clan. Continue to the St. Xavier Memorial Church, commemorating St. Francis Xavier’s missionary work in Japan.

After the visits, proceed to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy dinner at the hotel before taking time to rest.

Overnight in Hirado.

Today, we will journey to Ikitsuki Island, one of the most significant areas associated with Japan’s Hidden Christians, whose faith was preserved in secret during centuries of persecution.

First, visit Kasuga Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a remarkable example of the traditional way of life maintained by Hidden Christian communities. You will have the opportunity to celebrate a private Holy Mass at a local church.

Continue to the Hirado Christian Museum, where you will learn about the history, faith, and traditions of the Hidden Christians of Hirado and the surrounding islands.

Next, visit the Shima no Yakata Museum, which introduces the history and culture of Ikitsuki Island, including the story of its Hidden Christian communities.

The day will culminate in a meeting with a member of the Hidden Christian community, offering a personal and meaningful insight into how the faith was preserved and passed down through generations.

Return to the hotel and enjoy dinner at the hotel before taking time to rest.

Overnight in Hirado.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and travel towards Nagasaki. Our first stop will be to celebrate a private Holy Mass at a local church.

Continue to Sotome, a region deeply connected with the history of Japan’s Hidden Christians. Visit the Former Aid Center, established by Father Marc-Marie de Rotz to support the local community. Lunch will be served here, followed by a meeting with local nuns, offering an opportunity to learn more about their life and ministry in the Sotome community.

Next, visit Kurosaki Church, a historic Catholic church built for the Christian community of Sotome and closely associated with Father de Rotz and the local faithful.

Continue to Nagasaki and check in at the hotel.

Before bed, repack clothing and essential belongings for the next 3 days / 2 nights into a smaller, lightweight bag. Our main luggage will be stored at the hotel, as we will return to the same hotel in Nagasaki three days later.

Overnight in Nagasaki.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and travel towards Nagasaki. Our first stop will be to celebrate a private Holy Mass at a local church.

Continue to Sotome, a region deeply connected with the history of Japan’s Hidden Christians. Visit the Former Aid Center, established by Father Marc-Marie de Rotz to support the local community. Lunch will be served here, followed by a meeting with local nuns, offering an opportunity to learn more about their life and ministry in the Sotome community.

Next, visit Kurosaki Church, a historic Catholic church built for the Christian community of Sotome and closely associated with Father de Rotz and the local faithful.

Continue to Nagasaki and check in at the hotel.

Before bed, repack clothing and essential belongings for the next 3 days / 2 nights into a smaller, lightweight bag. Our main luggage will be stored at the hotel, as we will return to the same hotel in Nagasaki three days later.

Overnight in Nagasaki.

GOTO ISLAND > KAMIGOTO ISLAND

On Day 6, you will continue our journey through the Christian heritage of the Goto Islands. Begin with a private Holy Mass at a local church.

Next, visit the Former Tanoura Church, followed by Kiri Hidden Christian Village, where you will discover how Christian communities preserved their faith in secret across generations.

You will also have the opportunity to meet and listen to a Hidden Christian priest, offering a rare and personal insight into the traditions, faith and history passed down within the community.

Afterwards, travel to Narao Port and take the ferry to Fukue Island. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Overnight in Goto.

KAMIGOTO ISLAND > NAGASAKI

After three days of island hopping through the Goto Archipelago, you will leave the islands and return to Nagasaki, where the journey continues through its powerful history of faith, martyrdom and peace.

Begin with a visit to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, followed by a personal testimony from an atomic bomb survivor, offering a moving insight into the human experience of the tragedy.

Continue to Ground Zero and Peace Park, a place for quiet reflection and prayer for peace and reconciliation.

You will then celebrate a private Holy Mass at a local church.

Continue to the 26 Martyrs Museum, where a curator’s talk will provide deeper insight into the lives, witness and sacrifice of these courageous martyrs.

Finally, visit Oura Cathedral, Japan’s oldest surviving church and a significant symbol of the revival of Christianity in Nagasaki after centuries of persecution.

Proceed to the hotel for check-in and rest.

Overnight in Nagasaki.

NAGASAKI > UNZEN > AMAKUSA 

Today, we will travel to Unzen and Shimabara, continuing our journey through the history of Christianity and martyrdom in Japan.

In the morning, journey to Unzen Jigoku (Unzen Hell), a dramatic volcanic landscape of steaming vents and hot springs. The area is also closely connected to the history of Christian persecution, where some Christians were martyred for their faith.

Continue to Shimabara, where you will celebrate a private Holy Mass at a local church.

Next, visit Hara Castle, the site of the Shimabara Rebellion (1637–1638), in which many Christian peasants and their supporters gathered. The ruins offer a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by Japan’s early Christian communities.

Continue to Kuchinotsu, a historic port town and former gateway for Christianity and international trade in the region, before travelling onward to Amakusa.

Check in at the hotel and rest.

Overnight in Amakusa.

AMAKUSA

After breakfast at the hotel, we will explore the Christian heritage of Amakusa, an area where the faith survived through centuries of persecution and secrecy.

Begin with a visit to Martyrs Park, a place of remembrance dedicated to the Christians who gave their lives for their faith. Continue with an Amakusa sightseeing tour, taking in the island’s scenic landscapes and cultural heritage.

Next, visit Sakitsu Village, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region. The village is renowned for its long Christian heritage and the way the local community preserved its faith during the period of persecution.

Here we will celebrate a private Holy Mass, offering a special opportunity to pray in a place where generations of Christians quietly preserved their faith.

After Mass, enjoy some free and easy time to explore the area at your own pace before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Amakusa.

AMAKUSA > FUKUOKA

Today, we will make our way back to Fukuoka for a more relaxed and leisurely day. After checking out from the hotel, we will begin our journey to Fukuoka.

We will celebrate a private Farewell Holy Mass, giving thanks to God for the many blessings and meaningful experiences received throughout our pilgrimage.

The remainder of the day will be at leisure for you to explore Fukuoka at your own pace. You may enjoy some window shopping, discover the local surroundings, or simply take time to rest, reflect, and cherish the many experiences and memories of our pilgrimage.

Overnight in Fukuoka.

FUKUOKA > TOKYO > KUALA LUMPUR

On our final day in Japan, we will check out early in the morning and transfer to Fukuoka Airport for our journey home. Our flight will depart from Fukuoka Airport at 10:00 AM, arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 3:45 PM.

For those travelling onward to Perth, Australia, you will have some time to rest and refresh at the airport before continuing your journey. Your flight to Perth will depart from Kuala Lumpur at 7:40 PM and arrive in Perth the following day.

KUALA LUMPUR > PERTH

You will arrive at Perth International Airport at 1:10 AM.

Welcome home!