Nikko

Japan

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September 18th 2008
Tokyo and around On the 1st September I left Vladivostok and caught the ferry to Japan. There were only 3 backpackers on board, myself, a Scot and yet another Aussie. All the rest were Russians who were going to Japan to buy cheap Japanese cars to bring home. One of them (Oleg, who was already quiet drunk) insisted on sharing his home made Vodka with us and I finally took out the hipflask (than ... read more

Asia » Japan » Shizuoka » Mt Fuji

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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