Fair and Balanced Picture Time...

Well, sort of...in addition to the outing at which I got to roam around Seoul for about 4 hours (at most), I did manage to get to Yasukuni Jina...which was quite a trip, to say the least.
Below are some shots from Jogyesa, one of 24 "head temples" for the Seon (Zen) sect in Korea.







Next came Yasukuni shrine; it was a pleasant day, and maybe it was the North Korean missles, or perhaps it was the cherry blossoms, but the place was packed.







That's about all the sightseeing one can do on the trips I take.

I'd recommend, though, if you're ever in Tokyo, to visit Yasukuni Shrine, and if you're in Seoul, to visit Jogyesa.

Regarding the latter, the reasons are obvious. Regarding the former, forget the propaganda (which alone is worth the visit). Look at the Heian era swords.

And if you ever get the chance, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and look at the swords from Europe at about the same time.

It.
Is.
Unbelievable, the difference.

Too bad they don't let you take pictures of them, though, you wouldn't believe it.