people of the country trades - the rickshaw.

In other professions there is a very curious fate. They disappear under the pressure of modernization and remain only in folklore, then reappear as a tribute to the tourist business, readily free operation of the national exotics. Examples of this in Russia may actually serve as a professional carvers of wooden spoons thumbs, producers of mead and was brought down, a scene-painter, painted dolls, etc. Such processes are characteristic of Japan, making a huge bet to attract foreign tourists.

In the lists of local attractions, recommended by visitors to visit, now included workshops on ceramics, textiles, samurai swords - all based on ancient technology. Emerged from obscurity and rickshaws, cars are seemingly always pushed first on the roadside, and then from life.

his wheelchair more often seen in downtown Tokyo , a quarter of Nihonbashi, at sites designated for a taxi. While they are not competitors - taxi and rickshaw. But Sodziro, so call the owner of the carriage, full of optimism. He hopes to revive the profession. He became a rickshaw recently. Four years ago he retired from a public company where he worked as a manager. Economic stagnation, according to Sodziro, gave no hope for a successful career. We had to find a new niche for the business. And he found it by buying a rickshaw carriage and licensed to transport people.
Course, Sodziro not alone in its struggle for survival in the stone jungle of the capital. Commercial carting in wheelchairs were several transport companies. Most of them relies on foreign tourists. Therefore, the proposed routes run around Tokyo's landmarks - the Imperial Palace, churches, shopping centers. A Sodziro believes that the most promising clientele for it are older, wealthy woman. They love the leisurely ride through the city streets in a rickshaw, especially in the historic quarter, which retained the shape of the charm of prewar Tokyo. Sometimes they hire a rickshaw to go to church or store. Speed