HOW THINGS ARE DONE IN JAPAN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1160, 22 June 1911, Page 4

HOW THINGS ARE DONE IN JAPAN.

* A WELLINGTONIAN'S NOTES. "Kanaya Hotel, Nikko, Japan," is the headline'of a letter received from a wellknown Wellington citizen, now touring tho Land of the Kising Sun. Ho writes:— "It is a marvellous place—this Japan. In its general geographical features it is very like New Zealand, but it is very closely cultivated and chock full of people. It is not at all surprising that they should want an opening for their sut-plus population. The wholo country is intensely cultivated by hand, and thero is not a fence about, except immediately around the dwellings (they occupy too much land, so aro done away with). Tho land is held in very small holdings—it is Fold by tsubo (Oft. by 6ft.), and is carefully irrigated. The agricultural lands aro sold at tho rate ' of about one to two yen per tsubo (about JC3OO to JGCOO per acre), so you can well Imagine why the holdings aro small. They aro a very industrious and goodnatured crowd, and thero is no difficulty in travelling amongst them, even in out-of-the-way places. . . . Japan is full of Visitors. In this hotel there aro about SO visitors, representing about ten or twelvo nationalities. Thero is very fino scenery in Japan, but you have to travel for it, just as you do in other countries. I may be parochial, but I do not think that it is better than the New Zealand scenery. But, of course, there aro many more facilities for travelling hero, and you can sec everything in comfort, which really does not add to its attractions. There aro many amusing situations in the domestic relations of .Tapaneso houses and tliejr ideas of privacy and propriotv aro of the most simple character. Their politeness is carried to an extraordinary degree, and there is nothing uncommon in being asked if your honourable luggago is to bo brought (o your august room."