Weekly Taiwan Journal: Yoshifumi Katakura's Daily Life - May 3, 2025

[Weekly Taiwan Journal: The Daily Life of Taiwan-based Writer Yoshifumi Katakura]

◆ This year, I participated in both the Dajia Mazu and Baishatun Mazu pilgrimages. ★ I hopped between festivals at Wanhua Qitian Temple and Shilin Cisheng Temple. It was a hectic but spiritually cleansing time. ★ The observation deck at the New Taipei City Government building in front of TRA Banqiao Station. I recommend visiting during sunset. It's great that it's free. ★ The komainu (guardian dogs) of the Tainan Shrine still remain. Bronze komainu are a rare sight. ★ When you come to Changhua, you must try the braised pork rice. It's consistently delicious. ★ Going on the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage with members of my online salon. This time, we chartered a car to follow Mazu. ★ Photographing fireflies at Dahua Station on the Pingxi Line. Waiting for the fireflies and the train while getting bitten by mosquitoes. ★ The Jinguashi Mazu pilgrimage. The constant hills and stairs are quite tough. ★ Photographing the nesting of a black-naped monarch. Taipei Botanical Garden is quite lively with bird enthusiasts. ★ A religious event where you walk with Mazu. One of the joys is greeting others and making many new acquaintances. ★ A Japanese military pillbox remaining in Lukang. A little-known war ruin. ◆ May 3, 2025