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I think I would have been much disappointed in Japan if I had not seen Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima.

Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan and still its cultural center.

It, along with Nara, was untouched by the war -- and is now a beautiful example of the loveliness of prewar Japan.

Here I was accompanied by Mrs. Okamoto ( Fumio's mother ), her son, Mr. Washizu ( a prospective student with whom I have been corresponding for more than a year ), and Mr. Nishima, one of the science teachers.

I arrived at 7:00 a.m. and by 9:00 a.m. I had finished breakfast and was on my way to see what they had planned.

We walked miles and saw various shrines and gardens.

We visited the Okamoto home -- where for the first time I saw the famous tea ceremony.

At 6:00 p.m. we went to the Kyoto Spring dances at the place where these beautiful dances originated.

They were even better than those of Tokyo -- more spectacular and more imaginative.