Travel vloggers Rachel Sterner and Lauren Kokoskie embarked on a two-day journey through the ancient pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo in Japan’s Kii Peninsula, eagerly anticipating the iconic view of the Seiganto-ji Temple Pagoda and the majestic Nachi Falls. Their excitement was palpable, especially after waiting three days for the weather to clear up for the perfect trek. However, their much-anticipated visit to the shrine took an unexpected turn.
When Rachel and Lauren finally reached the Seiganto-ji Temple, their hopes of seeing the iconic shrine were dashed. Instead of the picturesque pagoda, they found the entire structure covered on all four sides by scaffolding. To add to their frustration, the scaffolding was draped with a giant life-size image of the pagoda, a stark reminder of what they came to see but couldn’t.
In their Instagram video, which has now gone viral, the duo shared their humorous take on the situation. “It almost adds insult to injury that they put a photo of it on the scaffolding,” they captioned the reel, expressing their disbelief and disappointment.
The duo’s viral Instagram Reel, capturing their “expectation vs. reality” moment, struck a chord with viewers. “We were so looking forward to seeing the pagoda and waterfall, and not only was it pouring rain, but the pagoda was under construction,” they shared with their followers. Despite the letdown, Rachel and Lauren managed to see the humor in their situation and wondered if this was a sign they should return someday.
The video has garnered thousands of views, with many social media users relating to their experience. “The exact same thing happened to us,” commented one user, while another chimed in, “I feel your pain. I’ve seen Angkor Wat, St Basil’s in Red Square, the Parthenon, and more—all covered in scaffolding!”
While the experience was far from what they expected, Rachel and Lauren’s ability to laugh at their situation resonated with viewers worldwide. Their video has served as a reminder that not all travel experiences go as planned, but even in moments of disappointment, there’s always room for humor.
