Tengan River in flood

The Eye of the Typhoon

---

October 16th 2014
The eye of the typhoon really is still and silent. Roaring, pounding 65-knot (120km/h) winds just stop. The continuous rain stops and the place goes quiet. Eerie quiet. The dogs eventually find the courage to bark to each other, as people climb into cars or walk quickly to the convenience stores. Colleagues correctly warned me to resist the temptation to venture outside, because this is a sho ... read more

Asia » Japan » Okinawa » Okinawa Honto

---

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