Taru Coffee Canister on sale at Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo (Jun 2019)
This is modelled after the traditional Komodaru sake barrel used in celebratory events.
Paper sleeve for spoon (Jun 2019) Will be much appreciated by those who like to place their fork & spoon on tissues rather than directly on tabletop.
Automated underground bicycle parking system at Kyoto station (Aug 2017) Understand that Singapore was piloting a similar system at Kampung Admiralty in 2017.
Priority Elevator for the elderly, expecting mother, child in stroller & handicap
@ Osaka station (Sep 2017)
Tempura Rice Burger @ Lotteria, Kyoto Station (2 Sep 2017)
(Panaoramic view above is a combination of 3 photos)
Shiraito Falls (白糸の滝), Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
We visited Shiraito Falls on our 2nd trip to Karuizawa in November 2011. Our first trip to Karuizawa was spent skiing at Prince resort, one of the ski resorts which is nearest to Tokyo. The popular resort town of Karuizawa is located in the east of Nagano, just a little over an hour away from Tokyo by bullet train. It is a resort area well frequented by Japan’s imperial family in summer.
There are 2 different waterfalls in Japan by the name of Shi-ra-ito (“white threads”) - one in Karuizawa and the other, south-west of Mt Fuji near Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa is a beautiful curtain of water of only 3-meter high, but is amazingly spread out over a 70-meter wide arch. Just by standing in front of the Falls gives you a surround and calming effect. The Falls has its source from the ground water of nearby Mt Asama, which spills out of the rock surfaces, making the flowing water appears like fine white threads from which the Falls gets its name. The area is also popular for its maple trees in autumn and for its abundance of wild vegetables in spring.
The Falls is a 5-minute leisurely walk from the car park along the road – ideal for those who are not able to trek long distance into the wild to view waterfalls. You should not miss this magnificent Falls if you are in Karuizawa.There is a sign near the Falls warning hikers of bears in the area and the advisory is for trekkers to make noise e.g. switch on their radio, talk amongst themselves, if they trek into the forested area away from the Falls.Bears are said to be afraid of noises.
Smaller cascading waterfalls along the stream leading to Shiraito Falls
Stream leading to Shiraito Falls
Mt Asama is 2,568 m high. It is Japan’s highest triple-cratered active volcano situated on the boundary between Nagano and Gunma prefectures.
