Todaiji Temple

Travels in Kyoto

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July 26th 2006
For our first full day in Japan we departed from our hotel in Osaka and took the train about 45 minutes north to Kyoto. We are staying two nights in a traditional Japanesse inn called a ryokan. After dropping off our bags, we headed back to the station to catch the train to Nara, the first semi-permanent capital of Japan. The main attraction at Nara is the worlds largest wooden structure, a Bud ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto

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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