Lesson 126

1 TOKYO
Nearly every world traveler knows that Tokyo is the world’s largest city, but not everyone knows some of the other facts. To begin with, it’s a fairly new city, having been named Tokyo only in 1868. It has over 30,000 establishments where you can get a drink. It has some of the highest land prices in the world and the best-developed public transit systems anywhere. Its roads are clogged with traffic, its night life unbelievably active, and its people appear to be in as much of a hurry as the crowds on Madison Avenue.
Among the more obvious sightseeing spots which any tourist will wish to see, no matter how briefly, are the Imperial palace, the Diet building, and Yasukuni Shrine. A stroll down the Ginza is an excellent way to begin to enjoy japan. Asakusa and Ueno, the northernmost of Tokyo’s many entertainment districts, are also shopping centers for the countryfolk who come to Tokyo. Prices are quite cheap and you may find many amusing items in the folkcraft category here. Especially interesting is Asakusa’s Kannon Temple and the row of little shops which line the street approaching it.
In addition to the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Yasukuni Shrine, already mentioned, Meiji Shrine and its gardens should be visited if you are interested in Japanese architecture or religion. Noted gardens include: Rikugien, Meiji Shrine Inner Gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen (Cherry blossoms in April) and Hama Rikyuu.
There are several entertainment centers in Tokyo. Most expensive and most widely known is the Ginza, where there are many night clubs and bars as well as the famed Kabukiza and several other legitimate theaters. Closing time for the Ginza is about midnight. Open until later are the spots in Akasaka, also expensive, and the favorite of Tokyo’s foreign residents and visitors. Several large night clubs and many of Tokyo’s geisha restaurants are located here. Farther away the middle-class entertainment area of Shibuya and the lower middle-class and student-frequented haunts of Shinjuku.
The Koodookan Juudoo Hall, near Koorakuen, should be visited by anyone interested in Japanese traditional sports. Classes are held for foreigners here, and that includes the gentle sex as well. Other Japanese sports such as Karate, Aikidoo, and Kendoo may be seen through arrangement.

2 FUJI-HAKONE-IZU National Park
of all the regions of japan, perhaps none holds more appeal for the tourist than the compact area surrounding Mt. FUJI, a few hours’ drive southwest of Tokyo. From the crystal, calm beauty of the Five Lakes of FUJI (FUJI GO-KO) to the inspiring peak of the mountain itself, vistas of great beauty provide a fine setting for some of Japan’s best resorts, luxury hotels, hot springs and all sorts of adventurous means of transportation, from cable car to ropeway.
Among the many highlights, of course, is Mt, Fuji, which you can easily climb in July and August, accessible from the Five Lakes region. Lake Hakone affords a fine mirror for Mt. Fuji, best seen in autumn and winter. Leaving the Hakone area, you will pass through Ten Province pass (Jikkoku Tooge), so-called because from the observation platform atop the pass one can see an area comprising ten former provinces.
This area is a sportsman’s paradise, too, boasting many fine sporting facilities. There are three 18-hole courses in Sengokubara near Hakone Kankoo Hotel and two 18-hole courses in Kawana Hotel near Ito.

3 NIKKOO KOKURITSU KOOEN
Nikkoo National park, including not only the town of Nikkoo itself and so-called Oku-Nikkoo region, but also Nasu and Shiobara Spas, stretches over the four prefectures of Tochigi, Gumma, Fukushima, and Niigata. The total area of this national park is about 206,665 acres.
The glories of Nikkoo are twofold. It has magnificent mountain scenery, with rivers, cascades, waterfalls, lakes, and ancient trees; and it also has the finest handiwork of man in the mausolea erected over the tombs of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616). It is scarcely surprising, therefore, that foreign visitors should regard Nikkoo as by far the most interesting spot in Japan. The Japanese have a saying, ”Never say ’kekkoo’ (magnificent) until you’ve seen Nikkoo,” indicative of their own appreciation of one of the wonder spots of their land.
Other spots of interest are Lake Chuuzenji and Kegon waterfall.

4 CHICHIBU-TAMA National Park
Chichibu-Tama National Park was created on July 10, 1950. It covers an area of 469.5 square miles stretching over the Kantoo mountains on the borders of Tokyo, Saitama, Yamanashi and Nagano Prefectures.
The principal mountains in this national park are Kimbu, Kokushi, Kobushi, Kumotore, Ryoogami and Daibosatsu. All these are good objectives for mountaineering. Among rivers and gorges of scenic fame, the national park has the valley of the Chikuma River besides those at Okutama and Shoosenkyoo. Among the spas in the national park, the more noted ones are Masutomi and Ogoochi.

ENOSHIMA YACHT HARBOR

Guide for Free Conversation and Exercises

1 Topics:

a Talk about the following topics in Japanese.

(1) Kantoo Region in general.

(2) Tokyo as a center of transportation.

(3) Tokyo as a center of culture.

(4) Tokyo as a political center.

(5) Industry in Kantoo Region.

(6) Interesting sightseeing spots in Tokyo.

(7) Nikkoo National Park.

(8) Kamakura.

(9) Atami and Izu Peninsula.

2 Exercise:

a 次の 文章を 日本語に 訳してください。

(1) Tokyo is the center of administration, economy, and culture of Japan.

(2) With the development of transportation facilities, satellite cities grew.

(3) At the Tokyo International Airport, many planes depart and arrive everyday.

(4) The number of colleges and universities is over 125 including private, public, and government

Homework

1 Study the Narration thoroughly and memorize the vocabulary.

2 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercises given,

3 Learn to read and write new Kanji,

4 Read the Cultural Notes.