With the monkeys

Snow monkeys and hot baths

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April 3rd 2010
One of my first stops in Japan was in Jigokudani monkey park, north of Tokyo just outside Nagano. There is a lot of snow in the area and the monkeys get really cold - fortunately for them there are also a lot of hot springs and they like to warm up by soaking in the hot pools in the valley they inhabit. Here are some adorable pictures of them. ... read more

Asia » Japan » Nagano

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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