Yakuoin temple and shrine complex

A sacred mountain in the Tokyo area

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February 23rd 2013
Takaosan (Mount Takao) is a sacred mountain less than an hour away from Shinjuku. The Yakuoin temple and Shinto shrines on Takaosan are dedicated to good fortune. I guess that you can imagine what that means for a visit on a weekend in these difficult times. We visited twice; the first time we had little time to spend and went up by cable car; the second time I went alone and hiked through the ... read more

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Hachioji

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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