The 2026 Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba, sponsored by Church Headquarters, opened on July 27 and ended on August 3, drawing a total of 164,669 participants, about 5,000 more than last year’s pilgrimage. Among them were 868 overseas pilgrims—about 400 more than last year—from 20 countries and regions such as the United States, Brazil, and South Korea. This significant increase occurred in the year of the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama. The children who returned to the Home of the Parent during the pilgrimage became familiar with the teachings, engaged in hinokishin, and cultivated the mind 
of helping one another.
The Boys and Girls Association Headquarters, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this milestone year, made special efforts to promote participation in the Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba by highlighting one of the association’s concrete goals “Let’s invite many children to the Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba.”
On the first day, the young pilgrims who returned to Jiba from around the world made their way to the Main Sanctuary under clear blue skies.
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 while feeling joy at having returned to Jiba, the children recited the “three promises” for the Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba and the Boys and Girls Association Pledge. Pledging to savor the joy of living, take good care of things, and help one another during the pilgrimage, they then sang the “Boys and Girls Association Song” together.
Following this, seen off by the staff members, the participants proceeded to attractions and other activities around the Home of the Parent. Many enjoyed the attractions with their friends while others energetically engaged in corridor-cleaning hinokishin.
Meanwhile, congestion levels at each attraction venue were displayed on the “Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba Official Site.” The limited-capacity events—“Variety Show 189” and “Pikky’s Stage”—were filled to capacity for every performance.
Many children from overseas joined the Boys and Girls Hinokishin Corps, enthusiastically serving ice-cold tea to fellow participants. It is worth noting that approximately 300 people from Brazil returned to Jiba. The Brazil Fife and Drum Band demonstrated the results of their hard work and practice in unity of mind on the first day of the “Fife and Drum Bands on Parade.”
As the western sky began to glow red, members of the fife and drum bands marched in a parade from the East Center Wing of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex to the area in front of the East Worship Hall. There, the “Fife and Drum Bands’ Dedicatory Performance” was held, featuring 22 groups totaling 329 members playing the pilgrimage’s theme song, “Sparkling Children of the Path,” in unison.
After soaking up the atmosphere of the Home of the Parent in summer and participating in the evening service at the Main Sanctuary, the
children enjoyed the illuminations along the South Approach as they returned to their respective followers dormitories.
On the afternoon of July 28, the second day of the pilgrimage, the “2026 Kumamoto Earthquake” occurred. Children who had returned from across the world performed the seated service at the Main Sanctuary, offering prayers for the affected areas to recover as soon as possible.
Throughout the pilgrimage, all attractions and activities were carried out smoothly, despite occasional unstable weather. With heatstroke alerts issued across Nara Prefecture on several days and temperatures consistently exceeding 35°C (95°F), group leaders and venue staff took proactive measures against heatstroke and kept a close watch on the children.
On the evening of August 3, the final day of the pilgrimage, the final round of the “Fife and Drum Bands’ Dedicatory Performance” was held in front of the East Worship Hall. The members of the bands played the pilgrimage’s theme song, “Sparkling Children of the Path,” in unison, concluding the 2026 Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba.
Shortly after the final performance ended, the “Gathering for Appreciation” took place at the East Worship Hall of the Main Sanctuary before the evening service. This gathering brought together those involved including members of Church Headquarters’ resident staff and event staff, as well as people who engaged in behind-the-scenes hinokishin.
Director-in-Chief of Religious Affairs Yoichiro Miyamori addressed the gathering, offering heartfelt thanks to all those who carried out hinokishin activities during the Children’s Pilgrimage.
He also touched on the “2026 Kumamoto Earthquake,” highlighting both the churches that were unable to send pilgrims to Jiba and those that were able to make the pilgrimage. He then urged: “I would like us to express our gratitude for having been safely guided throughout the pilgrimage and to pray that, next year, people from every part of the world may return to Jiba safely and with peace of mind. Furthermore, let us perform the service here today with a pledge to devote ourselves to engaging in hinokishin, spreading the fragrance of the teachings, helping to save others, and performing the service.”
Finally, everyone participated in the evening service at the Main Sanctuary.
