P1040490

Last full day in Japan, Kyoto

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January 5th 2012
Our wonderful time in Japan with Beth is quickly coming to an end so of course, we crammed this day full of site seeing. We had a lot left on our list of "must do" in Kyoto so we started the day at the Imperial Palace. The original palace was built in 794 but like so many temples it was destroyed by fire from all of the fighting that took place with the shoguns. The present buildings were construc ... 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