The Temple of Peony Queens
After their long, dynamic drive through the Golden Week mountain passes, the car finally parked. They had arrived at their destination: the ancient and beautiful Hasedera Temple in Sakurai. This temple is famous across Japan, but it is most famous during this exact week for one reason: it is the Botan, or Peony, festival!
The four best friends prepared for their walk. Lyn, looking fresh in her white spring blouse and light blue pants, picked up Pinkysan, the calico cat. "We have a lot of stairs today, Pinkysan," Lyn whispered.
Linda, carrying a sturdy woven picnic basket filled with snacks and juice, had her long hair tied up for the climb. She wore her orange t-shirt and blue maong pants. "I am so excited! I have never seen the peonies in person," she smiled.
Star, the large Akita Inu, was wagging her powerful tail, her beautiful frilly red dress fluttering. She didn't have to carry anything; she was just ready to explore.
They entered through the grand, red Nio-mon Gate and immediately, Linda stopped, her eyes wide with wonder. Ahead of them lay the temple’s most famous feature: the Nobori-rou, or Climbing Corridor. It was a long, covered staircase with nearly 400 stone steps, winding steeply up the mountain slope.
But it wasn't just the stairs that made Linda gasps. Line the entire staircase, and filling the garden terraces on both sides, were thousands and thousands of Botan (Peony) flowers in full bloom. The peonies were huge, round, and incredibly fragrant, like large powder puffs in colors of deep crimson, delicate pink, pure white, and sunshine yellow.
"This is the most beautiful staircase in the world!" Linda exclaimed.
They began the long climb. Step, step, step. Linda had a steady rhythm, carrying the heavy basket. Lyn paced herself, cradling a calm and observant Pinkysan. But Star, the Akita in the red dress, was having the most fun. Bounce, bounce! She treated the steep stairs like a game, leaping lightly up the stone steps, her red dress swishing around her powerful legs.
Finally, they reached the top of the Nobori-rou. The air was cool, and they stepped onto the massive, wooden main platform of Hasedera. Linda turned around and gasped again. The view of the entire valley below, covered in a sea of blooming mountain trees and the river winding through, was breathtaking.
"Look, Linda!" Lyn pointed to a series of rustic wooden benches near the main hall.
They found a quiet bench surrounded by particularly magnificent deep-red Botan blooms. Linda set down the basket. They all sat together, feeling the warm afternoon sun on their tired legs. Pinkysan leaped onto the bench and sat regally between the two women.
Crunch, crunch, gulp. Linda passed out sandwiches and cups of clear apple juice. They ate their picnic, the air smelling sweetly of ancient incense and sweet flowers.
"The pink ones are my favorite," Lyn said, taking a sip. "They look like roses from a fairy tale."
"I like the crimson ones," Linda replied, looking at the large flowers near them. "They are so strong and vibrant. And Star seems to like them all!"
Star, still full of energy despite the climb, sat at their feet, watching a tiny butterfly dance around a large yellow peony. Her yellow face was a picture of pure spring joy. It was the perfect Golden Weekday: full of color, beauty, and the simple happiness of sharing a picnic with family.
