Shirato Falls - Waterfall of White Thread

No river feeds into Shirato Falls near Karuizawa, instead they are fed by ground water from the base of the volcanic Mt Asama.  The falls are in two stages, with the top falls being 3m high but in a curve of 70m.  They looked great steaming on winters day, I don't think I have ever visited a waterfall in the snow before.  The falls, their locattion and the walk to them would be spectacular with the lush greenness of summer of the colours of autumn in the surrounding larch trees.

Sunday Kimono 17 - River of Fabric

Another photo of kimono fabric in the River Gallery at Nakai at the Some no Komichi festival.  Stencils are used to design the concrete river banks.

Okusu - A 2000 year old tree

Last Sunday I visited Atami and the Kinomiya Shrine where there is a designated monument, a sacred tree called "Okusu" which is more than 2000 years old. Amazing to think the times the tree has lived through - if only it could speak.

The Neighbourhood - Narrow Streets

The narrow streets of Sakurashinmachi and similar Tokyo neighbourhoods are quaint and cute, as are the small trucks and vans that are also cute.  The drivers are incredibly polite and patient, waiting for you as a pedestrian or cyclist and bowing to you when you step aside to give way and let them have the road.

The Neighbourhood - A Eucalypt

The juxtaposition of old and new in one block always amazes me as I wander the neighbourhood streets.  This is a typical street scene - look closely for an Australian surprise in the middle of the photo.

Australian plants are popular at the local nursery too and in some other neighbourhood gardens.

Hardenbergia - commonly known as sarsaopilla seems to be a popular climber and wattles known here as mimosa are also a common garden plant.

Tuesday Travel Tips 4.

Not sure what the message is here.  Looks like martial arts.

Shibori

Shibori is a Japanese form of tie dyeing that  I love for its intricacy and because it is often used with indigo.  The Shibori section of the Some no Komochi festival last week,  along the Myoshoji River were my favourite.