Distant view of Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle

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July 25th 2009
Before we left Tokyo earlier in the week for our travels to Hiroshima and Kyoto I booked a hotel in Kyoto online. Unfortunately, we did not get confirmation of our reservation right away and I was not able to check my e-mail until a few days later. When we got on the Shinkansen train in Hiromshima for our ride back north I checked my e-mail and found that we did NOT get the hotel in Kyoto. I wa ... read more

Asia » Japan

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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