The Earth flag is presented on stage at Fuji Sanctuary, with Mount Fuji in the background.SOPP 2026 at Fuji Sanctuary

“MUSUBI”
Sunday, May 17, 2026

The 22nd Symphony of Peace Prayers (SOPP) will be held at Fuji Sanctuary in Japan, the global home of the SOPP, on May 17, 2026. For the first time since 2019, the SOPP will be a live, in-person ceremony, conducted in Fuji Sanctuary’s outdoor Prayer Field under the gaze of a towering Mount Fuji.

Download the 2026 SOPP flyer here.

Download the 2026 English program here.

Watch the live broadcast here, Sunday, May 17, 12pm Japan time:

Please note: as there is no English interpretation of the ceremony, we encourage viewers to download our English program in order to follow along and join in the various prayers. 

Every year, the SOPP brings together people from all around the world in their deep and sincere wish for peace on earth and interfaith harmony. Thanks to the continued support of participants and guests, who have steadfastly believed in the SOPP’s mission to unite humanity in prayer, transcending all differences of faith, nationality, and background, this event has been celebrated annually for over 20 years, both at Fuji Sanctuary and around the world.

In 2025, the SOPP entered a new stage, with a theme of “Musubi” that continues in 2026. Musubi is a Japanese word meaning to ‘tie’ or ‘join,’ and it represents the restoration of our vertical connection with the divine and our horizontal connection with the living beings with whom we share this earth.

We look forward to welcoming many people back to Fuji Sanctuary for this year’s event! Those who cannot be there in person are invited take part in the ceremony by tuning in to the live-stream broadcast and joining in the various prayers for peace.

This year, the prayers for peace in each country and region will take place between the peace prayers from different religions. The prayer leaders scheduled to appear are as follows:

2026 Prayer Leaders

  • Buddhism – Rev. Shinjo Nohara, Head Priest of Kaizōzan Ryūunji Temple
  • Shinto – Rev. Masahiko Dobashi, Chief Priest of Hitoana Sengen Shrine
  • Judaism – Mr. Mark Zion
  • Christianity – Apostolic Nuncio to Japan,
    His Excellency Most Reverend Francisco Escalante Molina
  • Islam – Mr. Aijaz Ahmad Dar & Mrs. Sabiha Iqbal, Muslim Chaplaincy Team at the University of Roehampton, London, UK
  • Hinduism – Mr. Krishnan Unnikrishnan, storyteller in the tradition of Sanātana Dharma

In addition to the religious prayers above, Ms. Masami Saionji will offer a prayer for peace, and Ms. Yoshiko Harada will give a taiko (drum) performance.