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Join us for our fourth biennial pilgrimage on Saturday, October 4th to the site of the first large settlement of Japanese in America, established 156 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 the first Japanese American, and the grave site of the first Japanese immigrant 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.
Highlights:
• The largest gathering of colony decendants!
• 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 1850s historic farmhouse.
• Recognizing recently-discovered descendants of the Wakamatsu colony.
• FREE Family History Consultations with California Genealogical Society volunteers.
• Taiko by Koyasan Kongo Gumi
• Bon Odori dancing to honor ancestors
• Sake tasting with Gekkeikan USA
... & MORE!
MUST BE AMBULATORY: PLEASE PLAN TO WEAR STURDY FOOTWEAR FOR WALKING ON UNPAVED TRAILS OVER UNEVEN TERRAIN
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SPECIAL PACKAGES (Includes charter bus fee, bento lunch & water, Wakamatsu tours, program)
SAN FRANCISCO PACKAGE
(Limit 45):
$75 per person /
$55 Nichi Bei Foundation members
Loads 8 a.m. / Departs 8:15 a.m. fr. Japantown Peace Plaza, Post at Buchanan. Returns at 7 p.m.
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EAST BAY PACKAGE
(Limit 45):
$75 per person /
$55 Nichi Bei Foundation members
Loads 8:30 a.m. / Departs 8:45 a.m. fr. J-Sei, 1285 66th St., Emeryville, CA. Returns 6:30 p.m.
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SAN JOSE PACKAGE
(Limit 50):
$75 per person /
$55 Nichi Bei Foundation members
Loads 7:15 a.m. / Departs 7:30 a.m. fr. Issei Memorial Building, 565 N. 5th Street, San Jose Japantown. Returns 7:15 p.m.
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SACRAMENTO PACKAGE
(Limit 45):
$50 per person /
$30 Nichi Bei Foundation members
Loads 9:45 a.m. / Departs 10 a.m. fr. Tenrikyo High Sacramento Church, 2216 6th St., Sacramento. Returns 4:30 p.m.
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PERSONAL TRANSPORT PACKAGE (must pre-register)
(Limit 50):
$50 per person /
$30 Nichi Bei Foundation members
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Bay Area buses to stop at Ikeda’s Fruit Stand in Davis on trip back
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Presented by the Nichi Bei Foundation
in partnership with:
American River Conservancy
California Genealogical Society
Sponsored by The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation
ORDER BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 at:
https://www.nichibeifoundation.org/wakamatsu
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Wakamatsu Farm, 955 Cold Springs Rd, Placerville, CA 95667-9447, United States
Tickets
