Shiraito Falls is in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Many people visit Karuizawa as a summer resort nestling amid beautiful forests and Shiraito Falls is one of the popular tourist spots. You can see the water forming what look like fine white threads as it cascades down. People are also attracted to it as a healing spot because of the refreshing sensation. It is well worth visiting at any time of year.
Karuizawa's Shiraito Falls
Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture is a beautiful waterfall set in lush deciduous forest. The water falls in white threads three meters over a 70 meter-wide arc of rock. It was named "Shiraito Falls" which literally means white thread. The water in the plunge pool is very clear thanks to being fed by abundant underground spring water over the rock. It is a great place to enjoy the landscape of each change of season. In spring, it is surrounded by the soothing bright green of new leaves, and in summer the cooling mist from the spray is so refreshing. In autumn, the combination of the red leaves and the white curtain of water is breathtakingly beautiful. In winter, the water sometimes freezes into a mysterious icy curtain.
LIght Up at The Waterfalls
The beauty of Shiraito Falls is of course the sight of the limpid spring water cascading into the plunge basin in dappled sunlight. But for one month ever summer from the last week of July, the falls are illuminated at night, making for a spectacular sight which is completely different from the daytime view.
Trekking to The Waterfalls
You can enjoy hiking to Shiraito Falls on the Shinanoji Nature Trail (信濃路自然歩道). You can take a bus from JR Karuizawa Station to Mine no Chaya (峰の茶屋). The whole trail is about 10 km long but it is less than 3 km downhill all the way to Shiraito Falls and takes about 70 minutes. You can enjoy forest bathing in the lush forest. There is also a shop on the trail where you can taste specialties such as grilled river fish and tofu made with spring water.
Access to The Waterfalls
From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa , and from Karuizawa Station, take the Kusakaru Kotsu bus bound for Kita-karuizawa Onsen. It takes about 23 minutes to reach to Shiraito no Taki bu stop. The beautiful waterfall is about five minutes' walk away.
Information
- Name: Shiraito Falls
- Address：Nagakura, Karuizawacho, Kitasakugun, Nagano Prefecture
- Access：About 5 minutes walk from the Shiraito no Taki bus stop
- Wi-Fi :Unavailable
- Language：Only Japanese
- Karuizawa Shiraito Falls Illusion (July 26 - August 25, 1900-2100)
- Admission：free
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