Toad!

More photos and day 1 in Kyoto

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September 13th 2010
So just when I was starting to feel almost at home in Tokyo, its off to Kyoto. I got to the train okay - the first shinkansen or bullet train I've been on - and it was amazingly nice and comfortable. I talked to the guy next to me a bit. He was a 60 year olf retired engineer but was very friendly and wanted to practice his english. I also practiced my japanese a bit which I havent really had to us ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » Kyoto » Gion

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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