Japan satisfies followers of every known branch of art or craft—from architecture and sculpture to painting and carving. Many old treasures are seen in perfect preservation at public museums or picture galleries, in private collections, or in Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines scattered throughout. the country. Numerous priceless art objects are officially protected as "national treasures." They are open, however, to tourists. or shown by special permission it some ca Kyoto and Nara, the two ancient capitals, are specially noted as depositories of priceless old treasures. Kamakura and Nikko and their environs are also rich in old temples and historical shrines. Art lovers are advised te visit the Imperial Museums centre of Japan's civilization for over a thousand years, naturally forms the most important tourist Mecca in the land. Here the old-world atmosphere still lingers over more than a thousand temples and shrines scattered in its environs.
Kyoto occupies also a unique position as the cradle of Japan's ancient art industry which has won the world's admiration.
Nara, another ancient capital, is famous for its colossal bronze Buddha, its deer park—the largest in Japan—and its priceless relics of old art and architecture.
Yokohama and Kobe, the two great ports of international note, form the main gateway to Japan for visitors coming from America and Europe. Nagoya, noted for its well-preserved castle and commercial prosperity, is the centre of the porcelain industry in Japan. Sendai forms an educational centre in north-eastern Japan, while Nagasaki and Kagoshima are rich in historical associations, especially of the Restoration period, and in superb scenic charm. There are numerous other cities of lesser importance, but none the less charming, where the ancient manners and customs may be studied.
Hints for Travellers Japanese lady playing the samisen. life—excellent railways, splendid hotels, good motor roads, etc. At the same time Japan keeps the old-world charm peculiar to the East, which captured the hearts of Lafcadio Hearn and Lord Redesdale.
In no other country is seen so much of the East's fascination allied to the comforts and conveniences of the West. Above all, Japan's natural glories—beautiful waters, picturesque rocks ana isles, matchless mountain scenery, wonderful temples and shrines—will leave such pictures in your mind as will never fade as long as you live.
The Ultima Thule of Asia, Japan stretches for 2,900 miles along the east coast of that continent from subarctic waters to tropical seas. It enjoys, therefore, a great variety of climate. Whereas the southern portions of Taiwan (Formosa) are almost tropical, Karafuto (South Saghalien), forming the Japan Proper has about the same climate as that of the middle belt of the United States or the central and southern parts of Europe, so that the clothing worn in the different seasons in those lands is suitable for Japan. Visitors must remember that while the summer months of July and August are fairly hot, Japan at other seasons of the year is coal, if not cold, and warm clothing is required, especially if they intend to visit the more remote northern districts, which are covered with snow for at least three months of the year. Light raincoats are always useful.
All foreign visitors to Japan must possess a passport, vised as a rule by a Japanese Consul stationed in the country where the passport is taken out. Ordinarily, travellers do not need passports after landing for travel in Japan, but it is advisable to carry them so that they may serve for identification. When travelling in continental Asia, one should never fail to carry a passport. extreme north of the Japanese Empire, is very cold, being affected by the arctic current of the Okhotsk Sea. With the exception, however, of the northern island of Hokkaido, the main islands, or Japan Proper, lie within the temperate zone, and thereby enjoy a golden mean in temperature.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.