Geishas still rule the back streets of Kyoto

Is it Wednesday? Then it must be Typhoon Usagi (Part 1)

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August 2nd 2007
His cold, steely gaze pierced through me. His lungs visibly shrunk as he let a shriek from his whistle. I looked for an escape route but traffic was bumper to bumper on my right. To my left the pedestrians posed an obstacle. They seemed oblivious to yet another gaijin. The uniformed caricature stretched a hand out to stop my progress. It was time to get resourceful. G'day mate. How'z it goin ... read more

Asia » Japan

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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