shinkansen (bullet train)

Geisha girls and (more) temples

---

May 4th 2006
After my last exam on Wednesday, Mom and I took the trip that I had agonized about while we were planning her visit. I felt, rightfully so, entirely responsible for how things went and whether she enjoyed it or not. Let's just say maybe she didn't have much faith in my planning because after much consideration it was decided that we should take a tour to simplify things. So we set off from Tok ... 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