Emperor Akihito and the Empress Michiko

Minor update

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March 5th 2007
Hey everyone, I'm tired and quite busy, so I'm just going to summarize the third part of my Christmas vacation: 1/2- Imperial Palace, Shinkansen back to Kobe, Osaka Aquarium, dinner in Shinsaibashi 1/3- Nicole and I went to Kyoto, then had dinner with Aaron in Kobe 1/4- Nicole went home and Aaron and I explored Kobe 1/5- Aaron and I went to Himeji to check out the castle and gardens, then ... read more

Asia » Japan

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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