The 2025 Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba, sponsored by Church Headquarters, opened on July 27 and concluded on August 3, filling the Home of the Parent with the smiles of children enjoying their summer pilgrimage.
This year’s eight-day event drew a total of 159,444 participants—about 2,500 more than last year’s nine-day pilgrimage—including 461 who returned from 19 overseas countries and regions.
The young pilgrims learned the teachings and savored the joy of living through various educational and training activities and entertaining attractions in Jiba. Spending time with those they met in Jiba, they not only shared their joy and gratitude for the gift of life but also nurtured a spirit of mutual help as indicated by heart-warming sights seen throughout the Home of the Parent.
Some children from abroad joined the Boys and Girls Hinokishin Corps, energetically serving ice-cold tea to fellow pilgrims.
In preparation for the pilgrimage to take place in the final year of the pre-anniversary activities leading up to the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, the Boys and Girls Association Headquarters had encouraged participation with the slogans “Let’s savor the joy of returning to Jiba with as many children as possible” and “Let’s aim for participation from every church.”
On the opening Sunday, association members from various regions, led by colorful banners, made their way with light steps toward the Main Sanctuary.
At 8:30 A.M., the “Morning Service,” one of the educational and training activities, was conducted in the East, West, and North Worship Halls of the Main Sanctuary. After performing the service, the children recited the “three promises” for the Children’s Pilgrimage and the Boys and Girls Association Pledge before singing the “Boys and Girls Association Song” together.
At 9:00 A.M., all the other activities began simultaneously. In the “Fife and Drum Bands on Parade,” the Koshinokuni Little Band opened the event, showcasing the fruits of their regular practice.
A new attraction, “Chopin Rescue Mission,” organized by the Osaka Diocese, made its debut in the basement levels 1 and 2 of the South Right Wing 2 of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex. Many children lined up to experience this new adventure, which promised surprises and thrills.
On this day, the morning sun was especially strong. Children frequently quenched their thirst at tea tents set up throughout the Home of the Parent.
In the evening, the “Fife and Drum Bands’ Dedicatory Performance” was held in front of the East Worship Hall. This year, the performance began on the 26th prior to the official opening of the Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba. The first performance featured 44 groups totaling 670 members, who played the pilgrimage’s theme song, “Thank You! Summer in Jiba,” in unison.
After the evening service at the Main Sanctuary, the South Approach was beautifully illuminated, delighting the children.
Clear summer skies prevailed throughout the eight-day event. Although there were occasional evening showers, they did not disrupt the schedule, and all activities proceeded smoothly. With consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F) and heatstroke alerts issued on some days, over 150 doctors, nurses, and other volunteers from Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital staffed five first-aid stations to swiftly care for any children feeling unwell.
On the evening of August 3, the final day of the pilgrimage, the “Fife and Drum Bands’ Dedicatory Performance”—the last of the scheduled activities—was held.
With a refreshing breeze blowing through the Sanctuary precincts, the band members lined up in front of the East Worship Hall of the Main Sanctuary. They performed the pilgrimage’s theme song, “Thank You! Summer in Jiba,” with united hearts to offer the fruits of their practice to God the Parent and Oyasama. The audience responded with warm applause in recognition of their effort, bringing the 2025 Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba to a close.
After a summer of mutual help and growth, the children bid each other farewell, saying, “Let’s come back to Jiba again next year,” as they began their journey home.
Just before the evening service on the closing day, the “Gathering of Appreciation” was held in the East Worship Hall, bringing together resident staff members, event staff, and hinokishin volunteers who had been involved in welcoming and supporting participants. In gratitude for the safe conclusion of the pilgrimage, all participants attended the evening service at the Main Sanctuary.
