Higbee (DDR 806) - Naval Cruise Book

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2- A good place to see the old as well as the New Japan

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Market square in Sasebo Main Street ot downtown Sasebo Sasebo the mam port for the Navy durmg the Korean contllct today retams 1ts lmportance as host to v1s1t1ng naval shlps Shlps seek shelter ln the b th t ay Cl 1S cupped by a sea Valley and surrounded on three sldes by sharp hllls and mlsty mountams The c1ty 1tselt1s small 1ts growth recent and obvlously tallored to the needs and deslres of servlce personnel a ures o the area are found Nearby are the Takashlma pearl tlelds lar est I g ln apan Here the long and palnstalcmg process ot culturmg pearls 1S co d t d n uc e Fltteen mlles south ot Sasebo ln Arlta 15 the Fukagawa Porcelaln Company Factory one of lapan s largest producers ot hand pamted ch1naWare Llke all other areas ot lapan th e prlme lngredlent lS human labor a strange slght to many ln the day of the machlne lt is beyond the city limits that the unigue fe t t . D

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Kobe Harbor, the largest shipping center in Japan. Nowhere are the contrasts of spirit in lapan better illustrated than in its heartland cities: Kobe, Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto. Often referred to as the fountainhead of lapanese civilization-ancient and modern they are rich in history, religion, and industrial progress. In the center of this area is the complex international city of Kobe-a link between East and West as one of lapan's largest seaports since the 1Oth century. People and goods from all over the world pass through here, leaving their indelible stamp. Osaka is a cornerstone in lapan's economic life. Only 14 years ago the city was almost totally destroyed by air attacks. Today, it is the second largest city in lapan and the industrial giant of Asia. The city is mirrored by the countless rivers that cris-cross the country. Old culture, in the form of Bunraku puppet shows, Kabuki, and the world famous Takarazuka shows, still thrives within its boundaries. Ancient lapan is best symbolized in 1300 year old Nara-the spiritual home of the modern lC1lDC1' nese. In contrast to dynamic Kobe and Osaka, Nara possesses a tranquility, antiquity, and Comfort which few cities of the world can offer. Twenty-five miles from Nara lies lapan's leader in art and religion-Kyoto. 889 temples can be found in Kyoto as well as typical landmarks such as the l-limeji Castle and the Rocks of Connubial Happiness. Kyoto was the capital of lapan before Tokyo became the government seat in 1359- l-lere in lC11OCln's heartland, one can see the traditions of the past revered simultanecusly with the maturing of lapanese democracy.