More Maple Leaves

Kyoto and Osaka

---

October 20th 2007
Ok, so Susan's last day in Kyoto was somewhat of a disappointment, as it rained all day long. Pouring, from morning til night. Being as that it was raining, we abandoned our original plan of visiting the Golden Pavilion and spent the day shopping around Gion. Turns out that shopping took us an entire day, and by the time we were done, we were both exhausted. It was a nice stroll through the ci ... read more

Asia » Japan » Osaka » Osaka

---

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