Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Konnichiwa!

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September 15th 2010
Arrival in Japan At the time I booked our flights home in and out of Tokyo (Narita airport) I had planned on visiting Kyoto. The easiest way to get there is by the Shinkansen, the "bullet train". I didn't think of it right away, I planned on going to Tokyo first then do a round trip to Kyoto but instead I finally figured out I could just fly direct to Kyoto, or rather the nearest airport ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kyoto » 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