Day 1
Depart US for Hiroshima. Enjoy complementary meals and flight entertainment on your journey.

Day 2

Arrive in Hiroshima and meet. Dr. Johnson, Global Next’s founder, and transfer to our hotel right in the city center. After getting checked in to our hotel, Dr. Johnson will give instructions about the next day’s class sessions and activities. Get a good night’s sleep!

NOTE: Flights from the U.S. typically arrive in Hiroshima (HIJ) between 6:00-7:30 PM. Our bus transfer from the airport to our centrally located hotel takes one hour. There are NO meals and NO activities on this arrival day. Prepare accordingly. 

If you intend to spend extra time in Japan outside of the Global Next conference, we STRONGLY suggest that you plan that for after the conference. If, however, you do plan to arrive in Japan before the official start of the conference, you will be required to either meet Dr. Johnson at the Hiroshima airport at/after 6:00 PM or meet Dr. Johnson at the hosting hotel at/after 6:00 PM. 

Day 3

Our day will begin with conference sessions as we begin our study of global conflict and how a Christian can understand and process global events. Our sessions will be followed by a look back through history and the unprecedented use of nuclear weapons.

At 8:15 a.m on August 6,1945, the first atomic bomb in human history was dropped on Hiroshima, and the Atomic Bomb Dome tells the tragedy. Standing alongside the Motoyasu River, the remains of the building conveys the misery of war and the terrible power of nuclear weapons. We will continue through the Peace Park and visit the Peace Museum. Opened in 1955, the Hiroshima Peace Museum tells the world about the tragedy of the atomic bombing as well as efforts to abolish nuclear weapons as means of achieving lasting world peace.

Day 4

Following our morning conference sessions, we will visit Hiroshima Castle, constructed in 1589 by the powerful feudal lord, Mori Terumoto. The castle was completely destroyed by the atomic bomb that hit Hiroshima in 1945, but thirteen years later, in 1958, its main keep was rebuilt. The castle stands today as a symbol of Japan’s past and her ability to rebuild and reclaim aspects of her history. It’s a panoramic delight, especially during cherry blossom season.

After our visit to the Castle, we will visit Shukkei-in Garden. Shukkei-in (縮景園) can be translated into English as “shrunken-scenery garden,” which is a good description of the garden itself. It’s magical!

Day 5

After continuing our “War and Peace” conference theme, you will have the opportunity to spend the afternoon shopping in Hiroshima, enjoying the unique shops of the famous Hondori Central Shopping District. The 577-meter-long arcade links Peace Memorial Park with the central area. You will enjoy a wide variety of shops and boutiques. Hondori is also the home of one of Japan’s 76 Tower Record Stores, a former US-based music store that somehow has survived in Japan. Who knew? On this day, you will also participate in Global Next’s journalism project. Prepare to meet the locals!

Day 6

Following our morning conference sessions, we will make a visit to the picturesque Itsukushima Shrine, located on the shores of Miyajima, an island in the Seto Inland Sea. Itsukushima means “island of worship,” but the site is famously know for its “floating shrine,” as the buildings appear to be floating on the water when the tide rolls in. In addition, you will be able to browse the many charming shops, eat fried oysters on a stick and pet the multitude of tame deer that live on this island. They will be glad to greet you!

Day 7

On our final full day in Hiroshima we will visit Okuno Island, also known as Rabbit Island. About 1000 wild rabbits live here, and you can interact with them pretty much everywhere. It is also known as the “island that was erased from the map,” because it was used for producing poisonous gas in secret from 1929 until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.

Day 8

After a week contemplating history, war (both physical and informational), the possibility of peace and the reality that true peace can only be found through Christ, we will depart Hiroshima for the U.S. with a new and deeper understanding of the fragile world in which we live – and with the hope of making a difference for the sake of eternity and God’s glory.

*Breakfast and dinner included for each day. (except day 2)

Conference Theme: “War and Peace: A Christian Perspective on Global Conflict”

In the very spot where a nuclear weapon was first used, we will take a look at a world that seems to be in constant turmoil. In this course we will take a look at episodes of World War 2, Japan’s involvement, the use of nuclear weapons and ask the question “was World War 2 the last ‘good’ war?” We will also consider current global conflicts, proxy wars, U.S. foreign policy,

the purpose of NATO and even 5th Generational Warfare (the manipulation of information through mainstream and social media). Most importantly, we will discuss how Christ followers can respond to a confusing, reality-rejecting, media-saturated world while bringing honor to God and the Gospel message to the world.