hungry Nara deer

Osaka and Nara

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November 25th 2006
Writing from the hostel in Osaka, where the keyboard is bilingual and refuses to space or punctuate, so apologies in advance. This has gotta be one of the odder hostels I've stayed in - OCD neat and with many rules eg. you have to be in by 11pm, bathing between such and such time etc. Quite a wide demographic of boarders here, from gaijin tourists (like myself) to little old obaa-sans. Everyo ... read more

Asia » Japan » Osaka

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In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more