The first gate at the temple

Asakusa and Sumo

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September 18th 2006
Asakusa...is a tourist trap. It's really interesting too though. I had some trouble getting there because my station required me walking all over a town to get to the subway. Bah to that, but I made it in time to hear the last bit of Shin-san's speech. Shin-san is one awesome guy. So first we got to walk around Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa Kannon Temple). It's Buddhist, as indicated by the word ... read more

Asia » Japan » Tokyo

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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