Karuizawa: Shiraito Falls, Nagano Prefecture, Nov 2011

Shiraito Falls, Karuizawa

(Panaoramic view above is a combination of 3 photos)

Shiraito Falls (白糸の滝), Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

We visited Shiraito Falls on our 2^nd trip to Karuizawa in November 2011.  Our first trip to Karuizawa was spent skiing at Prince resort, one of the ski resorts which is nearest to Tokyo. The popular resort town of Karuizawa is located in the east of Nagano, just a little over an hour away from Tokyo by bullet train.  It is a resort area well frequented by Japan’s imperial family in summer.

There are 2 different waterfalls in Japan by the name of Shi-ra-ito (“white threads”) - one in Karuizawa and the other, south-west of Mt Fuji near Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa is a beautiful curtain of water of only 3-meter high, but is amazingly spread out over a 70-meter wide arch.  Just by standing in front of the Falls gives you a surround and calming effect.  The Falls has its source from the ground water of nearby Mt Asama, which spills out of the rock surfaces, making the flowing water appears like fine white threads from which the Falls gets its name. The area is also popular for its maple trees in autumn and for its abundance of wild vegetables in spring.

The Falls is a 5-minute leisurely walk from the car park along the road – ideal for those who are not able to trek long distance into the wild to view waterfalls.  You should not miss this magnificent Falls if you are in Karuizawa.  There is a sign near the Falls warning hikers of bears in the area and the advisory is for trekkers to make noise e.g. switch on their radio, talk amongst themselves, if they trek into the forested area away from the Falls.  Bears are said to be afraid of noises.


Smaller cascading waterfalls along the stream leading to Shiraito Falls

Stream leading to Shiraito Falls



Mt Asama is 2,568 m high. It is Japan’s highest triple-cratered active volcano situated on the boundary between Nagano and Gunma prefectures.

Video of Shiraito Falls:

Charcoal Grilled Iwana Fish (River Trout)