Society

Traditional entertainers clean up Kyoto streets

Oct 28 (NHK) - Traditional Japanese female entertainers have cleaned up streets of central Kyoto to welcome tourists after a coronavirus state of emergency was lifted.

About 50 maiko, or apprentice entertainers, and people from the local tourism industry gathered near the Kamo River on Wednesday. The cleanup was planned by the Kyoto City tourism association and others.

Before the work, Mayor Kadokawa Daisaku told the participants that passing down traditional culture is supported by tourism. He stressed the importance of having a sense of hospitality.

They were then divided into two groups and assigned different streets where they collected trash, including cigarette butts and plastic.

One maiko said she wants people to come to Kyoto and enjoy beautiful autumn leaves and delicious cuisine.

Another said she wants people to visit the newly cleaned city, now that the state of emergency has been lifted.

Source: 読売テレビニュース

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