A formidable inner moat.

Kyoto zen gardens and a ryokan

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November 30th 2014
In Kyoto, the bastion of Japanese tradition, we stayed in a traditional inn called a ryokan. This meant staying in a tami room, sleeping on a futon, taking your shoes off and traditional breakfasts. Although Matsubaya Ryokan was a number of blocks from the Kyoto station and down a small side street we found it - thanks to checking it out the night before on Google street view. When all the street ... 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