Stepping Into Kyoto: A Solo Traveler, A Filipino Heart
Nagoya—nestled in the central region of Japan—is a gateway to many nearby cities. With its efficient transportation system, hopping from one destination to another became incredibly easy. That morning, though, I had one little personal hurdle: taking a bath in freezing weather. Coming from the Philippines, where warm showers are a comfort, that blast of cold nearly knocked the breath out of me. Still, I managed—thankfully, I’d been trained by life in the province.
I jumped out of my capsule hotel pod and made my way to the nearest 7-Eleven, where I grabbed an apple pie and orange juice for breakfast. The contrast was startling—ice-cold outside, sweltering inside. Something you wouldn’t often find in the tropics back home.
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The Voice of Home in a Foreign Land
At the bus terminal, I sat down at the lounge to wait for my trip to Kyoto—formerly Japan’s imperial capital and one of the most culturally rich cities on the island of Honshu.
Tired from barely sleeping the night before, I closed my eyes—but kept my ears alert for announcements.
Then it happened.
I heard a group speaking in Tagalog. At first, I thought I was dreaming, so I dismissed it. But the second time I heard them, the voices were clearer—and much closer. I opened my eyes, and there they were: six Filipino travelers, chatting loudly while holding McDonald’s take-out boxes.
God was on the move again.
When Strangers Become Family
The guy next to me sparked up a conversation. He asked casually, “Pinoy?” His mouth was full of fries, but I knew I wasn’t dreaming anymore.
I smiled wide and said, “Oo, Pinoy din ako.”
I told them I was heading to Kyoto, and they exclaimed, “Kami rin!” They were traveling the same route—at the same time. I didn’t even need to pray for it—God answered before I asked.
As we chatted, they invited me to tag along. I hesitated, but honestly, my heart was overwhelmed by their kindness. It felt like being welcomed home.
🙌 Spiritual Reflection:
When you walk with God, you’re never truly alone. He sends help—even in the form of strangers eating McDonald’s in Japan.
A Filipino Party on the Road
They were all around 40 to 50 years old—a couple of them seemed to be married couples. As the bus moved through the Japanese countryside, our conversation flowed like we had known each other for years. They asked about my life, why I was traveling solo, and what I was doing in Japan.
When I told them I was on a personal mission trip—an adventure of faith—they responded with genuine warmth. They even shared their food with me. I felt safe, seen, and blessed.
We reached Kyoto Station, and it was breathtaking. One of them compared it to Grand Central Terminal in New York. Maybe they were being generous, or maybe they just wanted me to feel good. Either way, it worked.
We walked into a shopping complex called “The Cube” filled with souvenirs, food, and everything in between. We ventured into the basement and found an array of premium green tea products—I grabbed six boxes. One vendor even reminded us about tax refunds at the station if we kept our receipts and IDs.
A Temple, A Bond, and A Lesson
From there, we took a side trip to the nearest Buddhist temple. As we walked around the ancient grounds, we talked deeply about life, faith, and travel.
That’s when I learned the surprising part: they were gym buddies. That’s it. They met while working out and decided one day, “Let’s travel together.” What started as physical discipline turned into lifelong friendship—and now, I was part of that story too.
They had already traveled together to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, the U.S., and parts of Europe. How amazing is that? Proof that friendships formed in the smallest places can take you to the farthest destinations.
Parting with Gratitude
When we got back to the station, it was time to say goodbye. They would be staying in Kyoto. I told them I was heading to Osaka next, but would return to Nagoya by nightfall.
We exchanged farewells, and my heart was full.
💡 Reflection:
Sometimes God doesn’t send angels with wings. He sends Filipinos with fried chicken and open hearts.
I realized that without them, my trip to Kyoto wouldn’t have felt like a godly-designed encounter. Their kindness, laughter, and friendship were reminders that God is not only a provider—He’s intentional.
🙏 Reflect: Have you ever met someone unexpectedly who became a blessing in your journey?
💬 Comment: Share a story about a time God provided for you through strangers.
📲 Share: Know someone traveling abroad soon? Send them this story as a reminder that God goes before them.
📖 Next Chapters in the Journey
➡️ Next Stop: Osaka — Finding God in the Wonders of a Modern City
➡️ Reflections in Nagoya — Grace in the Everyday
➡️ Final Thoughts — Why This Mission Trip Changed My Faith Forever
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