Shiraito Waterfall — Attraction in Karuizawa

I love this place. It is a very short, walk up a gentle slope from the ample parking lot. Although I myself am not easily impressed by waterfalls, since I come from a place that has more than just about anyplace in the world (the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon USA) I would still say that these unique falls are worth a visit, if only because of the unique geology. The source water is actually a spring that seeps directly out of the rock, which is extremely unusual. Apparently, it takes some six years for water to pass through the mountain, during which time it is warmed by volcanic activity within. That means that this water never freezes. The water is said to be about 10°C, or 50°F. It feels cool, but the fact that it will never get below that is quite interesting. One unusual note about the place, however, is that you should not be disappointed by its relatively small size. Some photos make it look far more impressive in terms of its overall size, but the falls themselves are not very tall… Perhaps no more than about 10 feet, and the water flow is not very substantial at any one spot, although it does extend over a relatively wide area, which means that the volume of water is not insignificant. It is a lovely setting, and I’m...

Shiraito Waterfall is located in the forests north of central Karuizawa. It is only three meters high, but 70 meters wide. The mountain slopes above the waterfall contain a volcanic stratum on which groundwater flows before surfacing here. This explains why no river flows into the Shiraito Waterfall. Also, as only a small portion of the water flowing is rain water, the strength of the flow is not much impacted by the weather.

Kusakaru Kotsu operates buses between Karuizawa Station and the Shiraito Waterfall (25 minutes, 720 yen one way, 1-2 buses/hour, less in winter). Get off at "Shiraito no Taki" bus stop from where the waterfall is a five minute walk.

The waterfall is located along the Shiraito Highlandway toll road (500 yen for cars), which starts just north of the Former Mikasa Hotel and ends at the Mine no Chaya intersection.

Shiraito no Taki literally means "the waterfall of white threads", which aptly describes its appearance, as multiple streaks of water drape over the surface forming what seems like a white curtain. The site is most beautiful in summer when the vegetation is lush; it is a somewhat popular destination for autumn colors around late...

Shiraito Falls are a graceful expanse of waterfalls located north of Karuizawa. The falls are only 3 meters tall, but they are spread out over a 70 meter wide arch.

Shiraito Falls is located just north of the town of Karuizawa, a popular destination for its greenery and cooler summer temperatures. A visit in winter offers a completely different atmosphere, as the lush greenery is hidden under pillows of white snow.

Shiraito Falls is just three meters tall, but its 70-meter width is impressive. The white water continues to flow even in below-freezing temperatures as the falls are fed by the underwater flow of nearby volcanic Mt. Asama.

The Shiraito Midwinter Light Up event is held from late December to early March. This winter display highlights the illuminated falls' contrast with the starry night sky on crisp...