Gion Temple

Shrines, Temples and Sukiyaki

---

February 27th 2006
Despite the cold overcast day I decided to go for a walk, so I grabbed the bus up to the Ginkakuji Temple, or silver pavilion. The temple was beautiful as were its gardens, but there were a ton of Japanese school children around so I quickly left down the Path of Philosophy - a riverside path literally surrounded by temples. Many of these temples were smaller and less impressive than the first b ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto

---

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