#252 Shiraito Waterfall

Karuizawa, Nagano

Shiraito Waterfall (白糸の滝, Shiraito no Taki) 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.

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.