Niji-jo

Kyoto

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November 28th 2007
Kyoto is essentially one massive UNESCO heritage site. From the station we headed to Niji-jo, palace of the shogun in the days when Kyoto was capital. It's built entirely of wood, and quite well preserved, but the most remarkable thing about it is the nightingale floor which 'sings' or squeaks as you tread upon it. In days past, this floor was used as a security system, alerting guards to sneaky ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto

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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