Gymnasium entrance

Osaka, Part II

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April 13th 2008
Up bright and early (hey, it feels like early afternoon US time at 5:00 a.m. in Japan), we had the hotel's complimentary breakfast: tea, coffee and pastries. We began walking around the electronics district, but quickly figured out that we were facing the same problem: not much open at 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. A huge store said it would be open at 10:00 a.m. In fact, the only people awake seemed to be ... read more

Asia » Japan » Osaka » 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