JAPANTODAY’S PREMIER ENGLISH DIGITAL WEEKLY MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 / VOLUME 01 / AUGUST 2012

ENTERTAINMENTSUMMER FESTIVALS

TRAVELWALKING ON FIRE

BUSINESSTHE GRINBERG METHODTHE JAPANESE PENSION SYSTEM

EDUCATIONTHE SCHOOL OF ROCK

LIFESTYLETRUE TASTE TOKYOREAL ESTATE JAPAN

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INSIGHT: WELCOM

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WELCOME

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INSIGHT: WELCOM

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Japan Today, Japan’s leading English news site, now goes beyond the realm of news to bring you articles, interviews and Japan real business pages in a NEW clean and easy to navigate section called INSIGHT.

For businesses, we have opened our digital doors to Japan, enabling them to directly communicate with the community and showcase their business or service.

For readers, INSIGHT is a ‘one-stop-shop’ destination for news, a guide on what’s happening in Japan, a constantly updated guide for schools, restaurants, hotels and the business community in Japan.

To top it all off, INSIGHT is also Japan’s first digital English weekly magazine, an essential information source for anyone living in or visiting Japan, covering the areas of entertainment, travel, business, lifestyle, restaurants and dining, as well as families and schools.

INSIGHT is distributed ABSOLUTELY FREE to subscribers every Friday throughout Japan and beyond. Our readership is already over 200,000+ and growing.

If you should have any comments, questions or would like your company/facility listed in this section, please contact us through our contact form.

Editor in ChiefChris Betros

Art Direction/DesignThong Van

ContributorsVicki L. BeyerKaren CarmeliSelect Asset ManagementKen TakagiDan O’BrienLauren Shannon

Account ManagersKieron CashellPeter Lackner

Sales inquiriesinsight.sales@japantoday.com

General inquiriesinsight@japantoday.com

PublisherGPlusMedia Co., Ltd.www.gplusmedia.com

insight.japantoday.com

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INSIGHT: TRAVEL

MT. TAKAO. A FUN DAY TRIP FROM TOKYO.AUTHOR | VICKI L. BEYERPHOTOGRAPHY | JEFF LAITILA

Fancy a day trip out of Tokyo to commune with nature? Consider a visit to Mt Takao, on the far western edge of the Tokyo Metropolitan District.Elevation 599 meters, Mt Takao has been regarded as a sacred mountain for over a thousand years. These days it’s both a popular hiking spot and a religious destination.

The peak, often a couple of degrees cooler than the foot of the mountain (especially welcome in the summer months!), affords amazing views of the city as well as westward. Needless to say, the views are best in the winter months, when the air is drier and clearer.

You can hike to the top on one of half a dozen trails, or take a cable car or a chairlift most of the way, so that you only have about a 30-minute walk to the summit.

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INSIGHT: TRAVEL

The trails are well groomed and well sign posted, including signs of the flora and fauna to watch for along the way. None of the trails are particularly long — the ascent can usually be completed in one to two hours. My personal favorite of the trails is #6, which takes you past the Biwa Waterfall, where ascetic Buddhists worship while sitting under the falls. You can observe this rite on the first Saturday of every month, as well as on the 18th and 28th of the month. Alas, this is also one of the steeper trails to the top of the mountain.

The Inariyama Trail is one of the most scenic, especially when the lilies and hydrangeas are in bloom in June and July, although it can be slippery and so might be better for the ascent than the descent. Trail #1 is paved the entire distance, and is better for descending than ascending.

If you come out here just to look and don’t feel like exerting yourself, take the cable car or the chairlift rather than one of the trails. The stations for the two are only a short distance from each other, both at the foot of the mountain and on

the mountain itself. From either station on the mountain, the walk to the peak takes you past a monkey park, along centuries’ old cedar trees and through the grounds of Yakuo-in, before making a last push to the peak.

Just above the cable car station is “Beer Mount,” a restaurant/beer garden with an expansive outdoor seating area and a particularly fine view. During the summer months, the beer garden stays open until 9 p.m. and has an all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet.

Just above the cable car station is “Beer Mount,” a restaurant/beer garden with an expansive outdoor seating area and a particularly fine view. During the summer months, the beer garden stays open until 9 p.m. and has an all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet.

The monkey park sits together with a botanical garden featuring native plans of the area and is worth a little time if you want to imagine yourself a naturalist.

Just beyond the monkey park is a 450-year-old cedar tree known as the

“octopus cedar” because of the way its roots about grown around the rocks. This is only the first of several massive cedar trees you pass as you proceed along the trail to Yakuo-in. Shortly after the octopus cedar, the trail splits. The left-hand trail (male trail) is steeper with lots of stairs, the right-hand trail (female trail) is a longer but more gradual ascent. They both lead to the same place.

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INSIGHT: TRAVEL

Yakuo-in, founded in the 8th century, is dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine and healing. It is a large complex of several temples — and their guardian shrines — and is always busy with worshipers undertaking various activities to secure good health and long life.

As with many mountain temples where asceticism is practiced, Tengu features heavily. Tengu is a Pinocchio-nosed and mischievous mountain creature who can also be a guardian of humanity when he chooses to be. Some say he is a messenger of the gods.

Once you’ve reached the summit, there’s usually a vendor selling beer and other refreshments. You can go back down the way you came, or on another of the trails. Trail #4 is particular fun for the return to the cable car/chair lift stations, as it takes you across a suspension bridge. Or, if you’re feeling energetic, from the peak continue on an 18 kilometer adventure to Mt Jimba. The trail is marked.

01Visitors burn incense at the incense burners before entering the shrine. The smoke is believed to have special healing properties for various bodily aches and pains.

02Take the cable car if you’re not in the mood for a hike.

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INSIGHT: TRAVEL

Mt. Takao is a fun day trip from Tokyo any time of the year (except perhaps in the rain). Spring, with its budding green and flowers, and autumn, with the colors of the changing leaves, are especially good seasons. There are a number of interesting annual events too, although they also usually attract large crowds.The fire-walking festival held at the foot of the mountain on the second Sunday of March is particularly amazing to experience. Also connected to Buddhist asceticism, it begins with religious rites and a bonfire as big as a house and once the bonfire has burned down to coals, the worshippers commence their chant and cross the coals. After that, it’s audience participation time — everyone peels off their shoes and socks and lines up to make the crossing. Don’t worry, if you’re toward the back on the line, you’re only walking over stone cold ashes.

Mt Takao is easy to reach and therefore very popular (2.5 million visitors a year, according to one source). Take the Keio line express train from Shinjuku to Takao-san Guchi station, the end of the line. Or, take the JR Chuo line from Shinjuku to Takao Station and then change to the Keio line one more stop to Takao-san Guchi station. On the express, the trip is less than an hour. From Takao-san Guchi, it’s only about a 5 minute walk to the cable car, the chair lift and the trail heads.

A couple of other activities to think about doing while you’re in the area – try a lunch of soba noodles and ground yam, the local specialty. For something really different, cross the highway in front of the station and visit the Takao Trick Art Museum, chock full of optical illusions.

If you’re determined to have a full day (after all, you’ve gone all that way), try this route: Plan to arrive in mid-morning and start your visit with the

Takao Trick Art Museum. Then have a soba lunch and make your carb-charged climb to the summit.

Explore thoroughly (including an electrolyte-replacing beer), returning to the foot of the mountain by late afternoon. (Remember, the last chair lift is 4 p.m. or 4:30, depending on the season, and the last cable car is between 5:30 and 6:30, depending on the season and the day of the week — extended hours on weekends.) Then, for a very special dinner treat, catch the free shuttle bus to Ukai Toriyama, a restaurant made up of traditional-looking farmhouses situated around a stream and carp ponds, which features charcoal braziers at your table where you can grill beef or chicken, complemented by soup, vegetables and rice.

03Visitors brave the hot coal and ash in bare feet after the ritual.

http://www.asiantigers-japan.com/

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INSIGHT: BUSINESS

WHICH WAY AFTER AIJ?AUTHOR | SELECT ASSET MANAGEMENTPHOTOGRAPHY | XXXXX

Making sense of the Japanese Pension system.With an aging population, a decreasing birth rate, and the baby-boomer generation about to retire, you’re sure to have some idea of the depth of the AIJ scandal involving the loss of pension funds for some 880,000 Japanese. Just how did something like this happen and what will it mean for these pensioners? This article will simplify the background of the Japanese pension system and explain how mismanaged funds could produce disastrous results for retirees expecting to live on their pensions.

The Japanese pension system is comprised of both a national pension insurance (kokumin nenkin) and an employees’ pension insurance (kosei nenkin). To briefly explain them both:

National pension systemAll residents of Japan (between the ages 20-60) are required to pay into the national pension scheme. This includes foreign residents. The aim of the national pension is to provide a basic pension to all residents, falling into 3 categories.

Disabled – paid under certain conditions when a pensioner becomes disabled.

Bereaved – paid to pensioner’s wife and/or children should the pensioner die.

Elderly – paid, in principal, when the pensioner reaches 65 years old.

Employees’ pension systemThis pension system is mainly for those who are employed by private companies. Pension premiums are deducted from his/her salary. When one is enrolled in the employee pension system, he/she is automatically enrolled in the national pension system as well. As such, he/she would be entitled to higher pension payments in the future.

Pension payments are made by the company and the employee to the Japan Pension Service, a government

organization administered by the Department of Health, Labor and Welfare (which replaced the Social Insurance Agency in 2010). Companies are permitted to borrow some of the employee contributions to expand their business through investments, with the intention of returning the borrowed funds to the Pension Service so the employees can draw from their pensions in the future. The borrowed money, combined with the company contributions, can then be invested with a fund manager. To increase possible returns, small businesses often join a co-operative, pooling their funds with other small businesses to increase their investment.

In an ideal situation, the funds will return a profit. However, should that fail to happen for whatever reason, the companies would find themselves in dire straits to return the borrowed money to the Pension Service. The repercussions go far beyond that, however.

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INSIGHT: BUSINESS

Consider this chain of events• The companies cannot repay the Pension Service for the borrowed funds.

• The companies are responsible for repaying what was borrowed using their own funds.

• The companies are in danger of bankruptcy because they can’t afford to make the payments.

• Upon bankruptcy, the company can write off their contributions, which means that employees may be able to collect some of their pension, but not all.

What about the responsibility of the co-operatives? They shoulder quite a burden.• The responsibility to repay the Pension Service is spread across the entire co-operative.

• Should a member of the co-operative be unable to make payments and therefore declare bankruptcy, the burden is then shifted to the remaining members, making it more likely that they too, will be unable to shoulder the burden, and end up filing bankruptcy themselves.

This is precisely what happened in the case of AIJ. Asset manager Kazuhiko Asakawa invested the funds from more than 90 corporate pension funds, representing approximately 880,000 people and because of poor performance, the funds were lost – to the tune of 109.2 billion yen ($1.32 billion US).

What’s worse is that Asakawa covered up the losses for almost 9 years, from 2002-2011, producing falsified investment reports inflating AIJ’s asset size and investment results. Also under investigation is ITM Securities, Co., a small Tokyo brokerage that promoted and sold AIJ’s services. Though it is unclear whether or not ITM was aware of AIJ’s fraudulent activity, ITM’s founder, Hideaki Nishimura, has denied having any prior knowledge.

As of this month, the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) has only been able to locate 8.9 billion of the 209 billion yen in net assets that Asakawa reported to have. Results of this have been almost immediate, with several smaller companies facing bankruptcy and others being forced to dissolve their employee pension funds.

So what can be done to prevent this kind of disaster from happening in the future? Ideas being tossed around include limiting risky investments and, according to the Health Ministry, limiting the percentage of a pension fund’s assets invested with any one manager. It is no secret that many mid- to small-sized Japanese pension funds are handled by fund managers who are both unskilled

and lack the professional experience necessary to manage pension funds. According to a survey by the ministry, 80 percent of corporate pension funds have no one with experience in asset management. What is surprising to learn is that these managers are often former employees of the Social Insurance Agency – the government agency that was responsible for overseeing national pension policy before it was abolished in 2010 and replaced by the Japan Pension Service.

The Japanese Ministry of Health estimates the nation’s total population will decrease by 25% from 127.8 million in 2005 to 95.2 million by 2050. Japan’s elderly population, aged 65 or older, comprised 20% of the nation’s population in June 2006, a percentage that is forecast to increase to 38% by 2055.

Whether or not any new regulations can repair Japan’s pension system is the billion Yen question, however for those 880,000 employees directly affected by the AIJ scandal, these regulations will be too little, too late.

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INSIGHT: BUSINESS

Life in Japan is very exciting — totally different from Western culture and lifestyle, but despite the fascination the country holds for many foreign women, they can easily find themselves too busy, stressed, or lonely as they deal with frustrating situations. Quieting the mind and harmonizing the body can make it easier to handle such situations that daily life brings. There is no need to avoid fear and pain (especially during earthquakes!) but through The Grinberg Method, it is possible to learn how to live with such emotions and allow energy to flow through our bodies, thereby creating a vital and exciting yet healthy life.

What is The Grinberg Method?The Grinberg Method is the ultimate in holistic therapies — it helps cure chronic pain, heavy scarring, and deep wounds. It teaches people how to allow the body’s energy to heal itself and to have a greater movement of freedom and expression. It’s a unique therapy for a deep relaxation of the muscles and for stopping the muscles’ pain. This is a special healing Method that combines specific breathing instructions to allow a new and fresh energy to flow over the body.

Origins of The Grinberg MethodThis Method was started by Avi Grinberg, a male nurse, reflexologist, and healer who learned different kinds of healing treatments and therapies and still today, teaches and works with people throughout Europe. After many years of healing people, he realized that people themselves could learn how to stop their pain. Avi Grinberg discovered that the body contains lots of energy and has the ability to heal itself. Once energy is allowed to flow freely in our bodies, we can achieve clarity, tranquility, yet also much more vitality in our life.

Karen Carmeli and The Grinberg Method in JapanThere are Grinberg Method schools and practitioner centres in England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Spain, and just one practitioner in Japan — Karen Carmeli. Karen was born in Tel Aviv, and suffered migraines since she

was 12 years old. She started to receive weekly sessions of The Grinberg Method, and realized how she created the migraine because of stress, fear, and frustration. She has learned how to stop repetitive behavior and stop the pain by herself and now lives with much more energy — even during busy days and stressful situations.

Karen’s sessionsEach person is different so each treatment is highly individualized. At the beginning of the hour-long session Karen watches the sole of the foot and asks questions. Through her observations, she identifies tension and weak points, looking for pain caused by exertion, fatigue, and a cumulative lack of attention in the body. She then touches the most painful part of the body, to heal the pain and address any repetitive behavior patterns. Through this specific touch technique, clients can immediately allow the body to use its own energy in order to heal itself.

During this process clients learn how to allow the body to move with greater freedom, strength, and flexibility; how to handle stress; how to allow different sensations in the body to recognize and stop repetitive behaviors; and how to minimize the gap between how one would like life to be and how it actually is. Through this, Karen teaches the body how to achieve greater health and well being.

KAREN CARMELI & THE GRINBERG METHOD

KAREN CARMELITherapist and practitioner of the Grinberg Method in Japan

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THE SCHOOLOFROCK

INSIGHT: FAMILIES AND EDUCATION

LiVEJAM Music School provides more than just an outlet for Tokyo’s teenagers.A lot of schools in Tokyo (be they international or Japanese) have good music programs, many have extra curricular orchestra, brass, string and even modern ensembles to give students a chance to play, improve and express themselves. But are they really what the kids want? How many times have your kids taken up an instrument only for their enthusiasm to fade away?

A few stops from Shibuya on the Denentoshi Line and two minutes from Gakugei Daigaku station is ‘LiVEJAM’ Music School, who’s mission is, ‘to provide an education vehicle through music for teenagers that will foster creative inspiration and cross cultural communication.’

Founder Ken Takagi, himself the father of two teenagers, founded LiVEJAM with the view of giving his sons a place to practice and perform away from the school setting, in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

Takagi studied music himself, but instead chose a career in finance. Spending 20 years outside of Japan. While in the US he came across many “School of Rock’ institutions, and realized not only his sons, but all of the students here in Japan could benefit from this kind of school, and just like that - LiVEJAM was born.

Most students start off at the school taking one-on-one lessons, but as they get more confident and get to know the other students, are encouraged to start up their own band.

The school organizes concerts every 3-4 months to give the students and their bands a goal to work towards: A chance to perform publicly.

“This has been the real key to success. The concerts (JAMOUT’S) are real, the students can experience what it feels like to practice and work on their music, and the reward of giving a great show.

The teachers at the school are not only great musicians in their own right, but have been specially selected, Takagi explains: “Because of their potential to become what we view as good ‘Big brothers’ and ‘big sisters,’ even good mentors for the students.”

We also commit to transparent communication with the parents, and hope that we may even play a small part in facilitating the ‘parent-teenager gap’ where we can”.

Rates at the school vary based on length and intensity of the lessons. trial lessons are available, and for kids who don’t need lessons- they can go and practice or use all the facilities anytime with their band for as little as 8,000 yen per month.

KEN TAKAGI (Founder/Director)LiVEJAM Music School

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INSIGHT: FAMILIES AND EDUCATION

SOCIALTEENSDid you know...Teens who are more social online are more social offline? That’s right, no more envisioning the ultraconnected teen sitting home to iChat on a Saturday night. The more friends a teen has online, the more likely they are to socialize and go to parties in real life.

The social media diet is heavy though, recent studies show how connected our teens really are:

Most Popular Teen Social Sites

1. Facebook 6. Orkut2. Myspace 7. Perfspot3. BEBO 8. Zorpia4. Friendster 9. Netlog5. hi 5 10. HABBO

Spend over two hours a day on social media sites

Update their status at least once a day

Send more than 3,000 texts a month

97%

95%

88%

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INSIGHT: TRUE TASTE TOKYO

TRUETASTE

TOKYOVOL.1

AUTHOR: LAUREN SHANNON

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INSIGHT: TRUE TASTE TOKYO

We are kicking off our first piece for the new True Taste Tokyo- at Insight with what everyone needs right now- a GREAT summer beer recommendation.

I fought it for years- this feeling that in Japan that wine was for fall, winter and spring but only beer worked in the hot steamy summer. From July to September, statisticians say that beer consumption here in Japan increases by a factor of 5 and wine consumption similarly decreases to a trickle. I am mostly a wine drinker but as the summers come and go, I can see the point.

Since I am a wine person - I am looking for a bit more pizazz in my brew. Something more interesting than Asahi Super Dry. Lucky for me - craft beer fans are finally getting a foothold in the brewing and import markets here. So choices are increasing at the speed of the shinkansen - Gone are the days when an interesting beer choice was Heineken. Now you can find it all, American micro brews, classic Belgian beers, German beers, and yes, even a good group of Japanese microbrews. Thank goodness!

Today we are featuring a must try for the summer heat. This beer just feels like a summer day and tastes like a picnic with

friends. It comes to us from the importer and brew master Phred Kaufmann at EZO beers.

It is time to finally reveal this magical brew… “Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat.” From Eureka, California.

Fruity but not too fruity, light, wheat-field tasting hops. Totally refreshing and yet complex.

According to the marketing people -

“A refreshing citrus ale, Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat combines Lost Coast Harvest Wheat with natural tangerine flavors. Brewed with a combination of wheat and crystal malts, and finished with Perle hops.”

Oiishi – delicious - and you can even feel good about those orange flavors being all-natural!

This one is not a beer for folks who like a heavier wheat beer- or for folks who want a BIG fruit taste in a fruit beer - but if you are looking for something new and refreshing for summer, I can’t think of a better more refreshing brew.

If you want to try it out in Tokyo, you can enjoy a bottle or two at the following restaurants and bars.

Or you can order directly from Ezo Beer (www.ezo-beer.com) and get a case or two sent to your home!

Cheers!

Reno’s BistroHigashikurume-shi, Tokyo, JapanTel: 042-410-3949 www.renosbistro.com

Beer & Wine Cafe 65Tel: 03-6450-4665www.otsuka65.com

Kimono Wine and Grill1-15-28 Minami Aoayama,Nogizaka Station, Exit 35 minutes from Tokyo Midtownwww.kimonowinebar.com

Imagine a hot summer day - the kind of day when you take a shower in the morning - head outside and 5 minutes later, you cannot remember if you took that shower or not. Humid is just not strong enough a word. You with me? OK, good. Now close your eyes and try to think what alcoholic drink you need this second - Yup! Beer. It’s just that simple.

LAUREN SHANNONFood critique and restaurant owner.

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INSIGHT: ENTERTAINMENT

One of the highlights of living or visiting Japan is the Summer Matsuri Festivals. Steeped with Japanese culture and tradition, it is estimated that over 10,000 Matsuri take place every year. Check out some of the most popular we think you’d enjoy.

Aomori Nebuta Festivalwww.nebuta.or.jpDate: August 2 (Thu)-7 (Tue), 2012Time: 19:00 - 20:30

Asakusa Samba Carnivalwww.asakusa-samba.jpDate: August 25 (Sat), 2012Time: 13:30 - 18:00

Azabu Juban International Street festivalwww.azabujuban.or.jpDate: August 25 (Sat)-26 (Sun), 2012Time: 14:00 - 21:30

Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoiwww.summersonic.comDate: August 25 (Sat)-26 (Sun), 2012Time: Throughout the day

Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festivalwww.jinguhanabi.comDate: August 10 (Fri), 2012Time: 19:30 - 20:30

Kanto Matsuri www.kantou.gr.jpDate: August 3 (Fri)-6 (Mon), 2012Time: 18:15 - 20:35

Koenji Awa Odoriwww.koenji-awaodori.com/Date: August 25 (Sat)-26 (Sun), 2012Time: 17:00 - 20:00

Summer Sonic Festivalwww.summersonic.comDate: August 18 (Sat)-19 (Sun), 2012Time: Throughout the day

Tamagawa Hanabi (Setagaya, Tokyo)www.tamagawa-hanabi.comDate: August 18 (Sat), 2012Time: 19:00 - 20:00

MATSURI: JAPAN’S SUMMER FESTIVALS

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MATSURI: JAPAN’S SUMMER FESTIVALSINSIGHT: ENTERTAINM

ENT

Tokushima Awa Odori Festivalwww.nebuta.or.jpDate: August 12 (Sun)-15 (Wed), 2012Time: Throughout the day

Tokyo Bay Fireworkswww.city.chuo.lg.jpDate: August 11 (Sat), 2012Time: 19:00 - 20:20

For more information about events and other festivals around Japan this Summer, visit the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) website.

→ www.jnto.go.jp

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AGENT: YUKIKO TAKANOJapan Sotheby’s International RealtyTel: 03-5776-2600

INSIGHT: REAL ESTATE

The home was built by an architectural firm specializing in designer homes. Modern and sharp, the property has beautiful greenery all around, designed with large floor-to-ceiling windows allowing residents to feel at one with the nature.

The main feature of this property is the wooden deck path that connects the main building to the guest building, the BBQ area, and the hot spa area – all situated amongst a vast 2,490 square meter plot of land.

The main building entrance has a gallery area, which is like walking in to a gallery. Also, this building was designed with interior slopes so that you can get to the top floor without using any stairs.

Other features of this home are the spacious guest building which has two

bedrooms itself, and an outdoor hot tub close to the bbq/outdoor dining space.

The owner built the home as a family vacation home. They loved the Karuizawa atmosphere and weather, and wanted to own something that would be guest-friendly for hosting family and friend weekend gatherings.

It is not common to find many homes in Karuizawa that are in this price range, especially with such a great design and less than 10 years old. Many of the houses in the area are very old, as Karuizawa was one of the first places in

KARUIZAWAVILLA.

NAGANO

Browse over 25,000+ more properties in Japan at www.realestate.co.jp

Sponsor

KARUIZAWA VILLA G MAUKALocation: Karuizawa, NaganoLayout: 3LDKBuilt: 2004Land Area: 2491m²Building Area: 328m²Availability: March 29, 2012Price: ¥250,000,000

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INSIGHT: REAL ESTATE

Japan that became known as a “holiday” resort area back in late 1800’s and since then has become one of the most famous and prestigious places in Japan to have a holiday home. Even the Royal family vacations there every summer.

Within Karuizawa, this property is in the Sengataki area – which is known to be a beautiful area. The community planning has been exceptional with so much greenery, spacious streets, and large sized property lots so that the homes are not overly dense. Thus, each home feels like it is surrounded by nature. Because of the large amount of trees in the area,

this area is known for the breathtaking foliage during the autumn season.

Although this area is residential and full of nature, it is just a short drive to the shopping and restaurant areas that make Karuizawa so charming.

In terms of uniqueness, the wood deck path that connects the facilities is very special, and gives the home a sense of community. It is also very popular with children, as they love to run around the deck from point to point.

This property has been featured in many property, design and architectural magazines in Japan, and was also nominated for a Modern Living Award in 2006.

http://www.ecentral.jp