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 October each year.