American and European members of the International Association for Religious Freedom and friends have been invited by the IARF- Japanese Chapter to visit them for nine days: October: 11 – 20, 2012.

This will be a return visit following the inspiring visit of 22 of its members to the US in October 2011.

We will visit some of the most important historic and beautiful sites, many internationally renowned: Tokyo, Tsubaki, Ise, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Miyajima.

There will be opportunities to visit IARF member groups and participate in dialogue with leaders and regular members.

The group (UUMA members welcome) will be led by Rev. Richard Kellaway. He has led IARF groups to these destinations in Japan several times. There will be professional guides as well.

Estimated cost: around $3000 USD, land only.   Final cost depends on  the number of participants.  (Japan is expensive an the exchange rate is not favorable)

Registration Deadline: May 15, 2012

For further details and contact Richard Kellaway at ishmaelnb@comcast.net

General Itinerary (subject to change):

Day 1:  October 11, Thursday

Meet in Tokyo at airport or Hotel Sky Court in the Asakusa District

Day 2:  Program at Rissho Kosei-kai headquarters

Tokyo sight seeing

Day 3:  Journey by train and bus to Tsubaki Grand Shrine

Program including Misogi Ceremony

Overnight: Tsubaki lodge

Day 4:  Journey to Kyoto by bus via Ise

The Ise Grand Shrine is the most sacred venue in all of Japan, a beautiful and deeply

spiritual site.

Overnight: traditional Japanese ryokan.  Hotel Tozankaku  (three nights)

Day 5:  Program at IARF member group Ittoen

Visit some of the many exquisite temples and shrines in this most historic Japanese

City.

Day 6:  More sightseeing in Kyoto and Nara, another historic capital.

Day 7:  Journey by bus to Osaka

Program at the grand church of IARF member congregation Konkokyo.

Overnight:  Hotel Gross Hotel

Day 8:  Morning:  Osaka sightseeing

In this commercial center of Japan, the Osaka castle is one of the most grand in the

nation.

Afternoon:  Continue by train to Hiroshima.

Overnight: Hotel New Hiroden

Day 9:  Morning: Visit A – Bomb Museum and Peace Park

Afternoon: ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima

This is one of the most tranquil and beautiful site in Japan.  It is famous for its

‘floating’ Tori gate, depicted in many of the travel posters of Japan.

We will stay in another traditional lodge on our last night of the tour.

Overnight: Hotel Morinyado