In search of the traditional Japan

With 12 million inhabitants Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world. The metropolis has a highly accurate and advanced public transportation system, earthquake-proof skyscrapers of 55-floors and is home to some of the worlds multinationals. It takes a good travel guide to find traditional Japan in this 21st century city.
About 400 kilometers south west lies the old capital of Japan, Kyoto, where the emperors used to live before moving their seat to Tokyo. In the districts of Gion and Pontocho, geishas walk on their okubo, wooden sandals, at dazzling speed to their next appointment in one of the famous tea houses that do not welcome foreigners. But the number is on the decrease and the two maikos visiting the temple turn out to be mere schoolgirls, dressed up for a photograph for 10.000 Yen.
The Japanese themselves think of Miyajima as the most beautiful place in Japan. The pieceful island in the bay of Hiroshima is a place to comtemplate the horrors of the war that destroyed the town over sixty years ago.

Tokyo
Kyoto
Hiroshima