Neighbor lady

Here's a (very) elderly lady my parents met on one of their walks. I went back with them later for a group photo, and although she didn't seem to recognize them for a couple hours before, she willingly obliged to a photo. Japanese people her age have been through a lot, but she was a very friendly little lady. Oh, and she cried when they left...

Sakura-mania

April 2nd 2008
That's right - sakura mania is once again sweeping Japan: a time when friends and families gather under perfectly placed and pruned cherry trees and drink sake, gross food and look at the cherry blossoms (sakura). In addition to these "o-hanami" events, the Japanese generally are enthralled with their cherry trees. The blossoms bloom brilliantly for about two weeks, depending on wind and rain, an ... read more

Asia » Japan » Yamanashi

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

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