Kinkakuji

The One Where I Went to Kyoto With Helen, May, and Ruri

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December 22nd 2004
Kyoto November was a fine, if not somewhat cooler, month. How cool was it? Well, I had to wear a sweater to school. Crazy, I know. But while I had to be inconvenienced by digging the sweaters out from the wardrobe, at least those obnoxious typhoons left us alone, which was welcome relief to those living in the worst hit areas of the recent earthquakes. Most days were sunny and clear with ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto

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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