Gion Festival

Festival in Kyoto

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July 17th 2012
Yesterday was a beautiful day in Kyoto. We visited Nijo-jo castle, dates from early 1600s and was a shogun residence. Despite yet more renovations going on it was very impressive to walk around the extensive single story building to see the beautifully painted screens, lots of gold with images of pine trees. There were squeaking floors everywhere called nightingale floors so that no one could cree ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » 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