A Hidden Holy Place in Akita: The Seitai Hoshikai〜２

You can visit their official website here.　https://www.seitaihoshikai.com/

I would like to talk about the miracle of the statue of the Virgin Mary.

Photography is not allowed inside the church.
When you visit, please keep in your heart the gentle and sorrowful expression of the Virgin Mary.

The statue was made by Saburo Wakasa, a sculptor from Akita City, in 1963.
This statue is famous because it shed tears 101 times over a period of six years, from 1975 to 1981. Pilgrims came from Japan and abroad. The cotton used to wipe the tears was analyzed, and it was found to be human body fluid. Science confirmed that the tears were human.
This phenomenon was recognized by the diocesan bishop as a Marian apparition.
A Marian apparition is an event in which the Virgin Mary is believed to appear before people, sometimes giving a message or a voice.

Sister Agnes Sasagawa began a life of prayer at the convent in Akita in 1973. She was hard of hearing and had long suffered from poor health.

On June 12, 1973, a cross-shaped wound appeared on her left hand, and blood oozed from it. It resembled the stigmata of Christ.
After that, she witnessed a strong light radiating from the statue of the Virgin Mary.
From July 6, 1973 onward, she heard the voice of the Virgin Mary. The voice was not heard with her ears, but it resonated deeply within her heart.

The message was:
“Many people are making the Lord sad. Pray to atone for sins.
The faithful recitation of the Rosary will save the world.”

There have been many reports of statues of Mary shedding tears around the world.
However, only two cases have been officially recognized by the Catholic Church: the statue in Akita, Japan, and the statue in Syracuse, Sicily.

Access to the Seitai Hoshikai

From Tokyo, take the Akita Shinkansen to Akita Station — the journey takes about 3 hours and 38 minutes.
The Seitai Hoshikai is located about 8 kilometers from Akita Station.

Public transportation in Japan is well-developed in big cities, but not as convenient in rural areas.
To reach the Seitai Hoshikai, take a bus from Akita Station (about one every hour) and ride for 20 minutes.
After getting off, you will need to walk another 20 minutes to reach the site.

If you take a taxi, the ride takes about 13 minutes, and as of 2025, the fare is just under 5,000 yen.
If you go by taxi, be sure to ask the driver to wait for you, as it may be difficult to find another taxi for the return trip.

You can visit their official website here.　https://www.seitaihoshikai.com/