tasting the hell water

Fukouka and Beppu

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September 15th 2007
Sharon and I have just returned from a last-minute decision to relax in Japan for a few days. 3 nights/4 days was not nearly enough, of course, but it was refreshing to get out of Taiwan for a bit. Literally from the moment I stepped onto the jet bridge (the thing that connects the aircraft to the gate -I had to look it up on Wikipedia) I was floored with warm feelings of contentment; indeed, ... read more

Asia » Japan » Fukuoka

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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