Nijo Castle

Beautiful Castles in Kyoto

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January 13th 2006
Landed in Kyoto station at about 5.30am, 2.5 hours before check-in (in Japan, you do not just show up and you do not check in early or late, or hang around during the day!). We hung around until the corner cafe opened at 7 and had a lovely breakfast. We checked in to The Tour Club at 8 am (well, dropped our bags off, check in is not until 4 pm). Then we headed off to explore the extensive Imperial ... 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