View from my room

First Impressions

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January 22nd 2006
So here I am - finally in TOKYO! Week one as a Tokyo Gaijin and I'm settling in really well. A couple of first impressions: The Weather - Despite what the pictures show, it's actually not as cold as I was expecting! In the last 10 days it has been mostly sunny, but crisp with temperatures around 5-8 degrees. My scarf, beanie and gloves are definitely getting a good work out, but short of of on ... read more

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Shinjuku

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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