2023 Wakamatsu Tea & Silk Farm Colony Pilgrimage-1st Settlement of Japanese in America (Bus & Bento, Bon Odori Dancing, Taiko, Tours & Exhibits..) NEW

About the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony Pilgrimage. 
Join us for our third biennial pilgrimage to the site of the first large settlement of Japanese in America, which was established 154 years ago. A national and state historic landmark, the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony was established June 8, 1869. It is also the birthplace of first Japanese American, and the grave site of the first Japanese woman buried in the U.S., Okei.

This year’s pilgrimage is a rare opportunity to learn about the storied history of this colony led by John Schnell and former samurai from Aizu- Wakamatsu, present-day Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Participants can trace their own roots through family history consultations with volunteers from the California Genealogical Society.

Event Highlights
• Bus and bento packages from San Jose, San Francisco, East Bay and Sacramento
• Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony tours and exhibits, including the Okei gravesite and Graner House Museum
• Recognizing descendants of Wakamatsu colonist Kuninosuke Masumizu
• FREE Family History Consultations with California Genealogical Society volunteers
• Newly-installed monuments, and MORE!
• Bon Odori dancing to honor ancestors and pioneers
• Post-Wakamatsu trip to Ikeda's Markets in Davis on the way home for San Francisco, East Bay and San Jose buses ONLY!

**MUST BE AMBULATORY: WALKING INVOLVED. PLEASE PLAN TO WEAR STURDY FOOTWEAR FOR WALKING ON UNPAVED TRAILS OVER UNEVEN TERRAIN.**

Date
Oct 7, 2023

Time
11:00 am - 3:30 pm

Tickets


This year, we are offering bus packages to four separate locations: San Francisco, East Bay, San Jose and Sacramento. Each package includes admission onto the charter bus there and back, as well as a bento lunch on-site, water and tours of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony. Please read each package's details carefully before purchasing!

Special Northern California Bus Packages:
San Francisco Package (Limit 45)
Loads 8 a.m. / Departs 8:15 a.m. from Japantown Peace Plaza, Post at Buchanan. Returning 7:09 p.m.
$65 / Nichi Bei Foundation Members
$75 / General Public

East Bay Package (Limit 45)
Loads 8:30 a.m. / Departs 8:45 a.m. from J-Sei, 1285 66th St., Emeryville, CA. Returning 6:32 p.m.
$65 / Nichi Bei Foundation Members
$75 / General Public

San Jose Package (Limit 50)
Loads 7:15 a.m. / Departs 7:30 a.m. from Issei Memorial Building, 565 N. 5th St., San Jose Japantown. Returning 7:19 p.m.
$65 / Nichi Bei Foundation Members
$75 / General Public

Sacramento Package (Limit 45)
Loads 9:45 a.m. / Departs 10:00 a.m. from Tenrikyo High Sacramento Church, 2216 6th St., Sacramento. Returning 4:28 p.m.
$40 / Nichi Bei Foundation Members
$50 / General Public

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us @ [email protected].