Kochi Castle

China to Japan

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April 30th 2012
We took the Shanghai ferry to Osaka, a two-day journey accomplished during beautiful, calm weather – thank goodness. Most of the time, Tom the Sailor said that the wave height was 3-4 feet, but the ship just smoothed them out. We traveled on the Suz Hou Hao (www.suzhouhao.com) for two nights; our comfortable room was a double, though there were also dorm room ... read more

Asia » Japan » Osaka

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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