Kirk here with something about Shiraito no taki (白糸の滝), my favorite waterfall within an hour of Kumamoto. First, here’s a link to a very nice article from Untapped Kumamoto that has lots of details, including a Google map: https://untappedkumamoto.com/nature/1236
By the way, Untapped Kumamoto has LOTS of good information. Be sure to check it out.
OK, here’s what I learned from RKK: Shiraito Falls now has a shuttle tuk-tuk service to make it easier for people to see the falls from different spots. Here’s a link to the RKK video:
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/469634?display=1
It’s interesting to me that they are called “tuk-tuk” and described in the video as being an exotic form of transport from Southeast Asia because these sorts of vehicles were originally developed in Japan:
“In the 1930s Japan, which was the most industrialized country in Asia at the time, encouraged the development of motorized vehicles including less expensive three-wheeled vehicles based on motorcycles.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_rickshaw
Tuk-tuk seems to be a Thai expression but the Wikipedia article calls them “auto rickshaws.” Rickshaw, of course, comes from the Japanese jinrikisha (人力車), meaning “human-powered-vehicle.”
Sometimes the best way to get some recognition in your hometown is to leave, make a name for yourself elsewhere, and then come back. ;)