Shōryakuji Temple sits in a wooded valley southeast of Nara city, nestled deep in Bodaisan — Bodhi Mountain. Known as the birthplace of Japan's refined sake, the temple is seldom visited, and within the grounds only the sound of the Bodaisen River and the rustling of the trees continues, uninterrupted.

On a summer afternoon, I set foot on the stone steps of the path leading to the main hall. The trees formed a canopy overhead, and almost no light filtered through. One step, then another. Before long I could no longer tell how far I had come. Looking ahead, the view seemed to stay the same.