Hiking across the Northern Japan Alps (Japan Alps National Park, Central Honshu, Japan)
September 25th 2008 (Day 174 on the road)So I am back from traversing the Northern Japan Alps, from Kamikochi at the southern end to Murodo in the north. It took me six full days of hiking, and unfortunately the weather was not really on my side this time - it was raining and windy most of the time. Also, it was extremely cold at night, which was particularly unpleasant as I freeze very easily. Having said tha
... read more 
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 
