The Journey to Green Sanctuary

The sun broke gracefully through the heavy June clouds, casting a magnificent warmth over Japan. After days of continuous rain, the weather was finally fine today. Pretty Lyn—with her classic neat bangs and long, light brown hair—woke up filled with excitement.

Let's dress up everyone!” Lyn called out cheerfully. “We’re going to visit a famous moss temple today. I want you, Star, and Pinkysan to see the stunning rainy‑season scenery there.”

Because pets aren’t allowed to walk freely inside the temple grounds, Lyn carefully prepared two separate, comfortable pet strollers—a larger one for Star, the fluffy female Shiba Inu, and a cozy one for Pinkysan, the beautiful female calico cat.

Lyn wore casual blue jeans with a lovely pink blouse, while Linda looked equally stylish in her blue jeans and a classic brown blouse. Once everyone was settled, Lyn turned the key, and they began driving toward a beautiful, historic temple tucked away in the scenic hills of Nara.

As the car wound through the lush greenery, Lyn suddenly pressed the brakes and brought the vehicle to a smooth stop. “Look, Linda!” she whispered, pointing out the windshield.

A family of elegant deer was gracefully crossing the asphalt road, their speckled coats glistening in the morning light. Star peeked out of the car window, letting out a soft, curious woof, while Pinkysan watched intensely from her seat.

“We’re entering the Nara Park area, which is also widely known as Deer Park,” Lyn explained as they waited. “In Nara, these deer are considered sacred helpers of the gods, so they roam freely around the parks, streets, and temple borders. We must always drive carefully and let them cross safely.”

After a few more minutes of driving, they reached their destination. They got out of the car, and Lyn gently placed Star and Pinkysan into their respective strollers. Rolling the strollers onto the stone pathway, the group stepped into a breathtaking paradise.

The temple was famous for its velvet carpet of emerald‑green moss, but the rainy‑season flowers stole the show. Vivid blue and violet ajisai (hydrangeas) lined the paths, while creamy white gardenias filled the damp air with a sweet, luxurious fragrance. Nearby, long green leaves of spider plants cascaded elegantly down the ancient stone walls.

“The flowers are so gorgeous!” Linda exclaimed, pausing to take a photograph of a historic stone lantern surrounded by blooming hydrangeas.

They strolled deeper into the sanctuary, discovering a crystalline pond filled with colorful koi fish swimming beneath floating lily pads. Star sat up straight in her stroller, thoroughly enjoying the fresh air, while Pinkysan leaned her head against the stroller’s mesh screen, fascinated by the rustling leaves.

To finish their lovely afternoon, they rested on a wooden bench near the temple gate. Linda bought a basket of hot, crispy French fries and bottles of refreshing mineral water from a local stall. Sitting together surrounded by ancient trees, beautiful blossoms, and historical magic, the four friends enjoyed their snack, grateful for the stunning natural wonders of Nara.