New years luck

Yamagata and northern Tohoku; starting 2020 with snow in the forecast

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January 5th 2020
Crowds rapidly gathered at the Yohashira shrine near Nawate street as midnight and 2020 approached in Matsumoto. The general hubbub made for an exciting atmosphere, many of those folks stepping up to the gong, right beside the stalls selling a lucky daruma. We’d lazed away a few hours that evening, sorting out our packs after the snow adventures before going the next day, fo ... read more

Asia » Japan » Yamagata

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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