Higher Self Journey: Healing the Heart Through Travel - 38 Nara Edition: To Yoshino (Part 5)

After leaving the Hanayagura Observatory, I walked down the road at a furious pace.

Time had slipped away while I was enjoying oden, shiitake mushroom rice, and kuzumochi at Koyasu Chaya, and fully savoring the cherry blossom viewing 🌸.

I had moved from the Kami-Senbon area to the Naka-Senbon area. Along the way, there were shrines and shops.

I didn't have much time, but there was one place I just had to stop by.

It was a plant-dyed goods shop. The storefront was beautifully decorated with cherry blossoms 🌸.

When I entered the shop, the owner was there.

They were selling items like T-shirts, scarves, masks, bags, placemats, and coasters, all made from thread 🧵 dyed with Yoshino wood and flowers.

Since they are handmade, each one has its own unique character. Plus, every single piece is embroidered. (They call it 'sashiko', don't they?)

I'm clumsy, and I have memories of struggling in home economics class back in the day when we had assignments to make things like smocks or skirts 😅

So, I have unconditional respect for people who can dye materials and create handmade works of art.

The owner brought out various things from the back to show me.
The items for sale were surprisingly reasonable! (To the point where I worried, 'Is this price really okay?')

I bought coasters and placemats in sets of 10 as souvenirs, along with masks, scarves, and T-shirts. Before I knew it, I had gone on a shopping spree 😳. The conversation with the owner was so much fun.


After leaving the shop, I headed to Kinpusen-ji Temple. There were posters at the station about a special viewing of the Zao Gongen statues.

I had been wanting to see them. When I arrived at Kinpusen-ji... the reception closes at 4:00 PM. It was already past 5:00 PM.

I couldn't see the Zao Gongen statues 🥲 (I'll have to catch them next time 😅. It seems they are currently holding a special autumn viewing).

I paid my respects to Kinpusen-ji from the outside. The main hall is made of wood, large and majestic. When you get close, it feels like it's looming over you.

When I shifted my gaze, I saw another building down below. It was enveloped in full-bloom cherry blossoms 🌸. Too beautiful ☺️.

Then, the thing I feared happened... despite having charged my phone at the tourist information center, the battery was almost dead 😱.

I suppose that's what happens when you take that many photos 😅. If the battery dies, I won't be able to get back to the hotel.

What should I do? 💦

Come to think of it, there were two young women sitting on the stairs at the temple entrance, talking happily 🤫. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I'll try asking them, even if it's a long shot.

I approached them and asked, 'Excuse me, do you happen to have a portable charger?'

One of the women replied, 'Yes, I do. How much do you need?'

'If you could lend it to me for about 15 minutes.'

'Sure, go ahead.'

The openness with which they accepted such a sudden request from a total stranger of an older lady—and so pleasantly, too—is amazing! (I think they were probably high school students).

I thought to myself how kind the people of Nara are. (I had another experience the next day that confirmed this).

Thanks to being able to charge my phone, I was able to take photos of Kinpusen-ji and make it back to Nara City.

Thank you so much! 😊✨

Encounters with people like this are what make the Higher Self Journey possible. I am grateful. 🙏