Our Hanami Party in Osaka Castle grounds

Shizuoka and Osaka

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April 26th 2010
Since Japan is so expensive ($350 one-way to Kyoto by train) our plan was to just stay in Tokyo until we found this couch surfer -Mochan- who was doing a Sakura (Cherry Blossom Festival) tour of Japan. All we had to do was split the gas money. So we went to Mochan’s house in a city close to Fuji mountain, just outside of Tokyo. He is a really generous man and we stayed with him for free and he ... read more

Asia » Japan » Shizuoka

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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