Stephen in front of Rinnoji temple

Trip to Nikko

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November 8th 2008
Over the weekend we headed North to Nikko, Japan. It was about a 2 hour train ride. Most of the Japanese people on the train are very excited to be on the train. What I mean about excited is they are drinking heavily at 8:00 am in the morning. We made some "friends" outside the train station who happily pulled us into pictures with them. Turns out they were staying at the same hotel as us so ... read more

Asia » Japan » Tochigi » Nikko

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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