Shiraito Falls, Karuizawa

A graceful, cascading curtain of water

By Peter Sidell Sep 27, 2012 - 1 min read

The rockface curves in and out for its seventy-meter length

Fish grilling on their sticks at one of the food stands

There's a little line of food stands and souvenir shops

A path runs up alongside the brook from the car park and shops to the falls

There are some little cascades towards the top of the path

The water collects in a clear pool before spilling down the slope

New views present themselves everywhere as you look around

It's good to turn round for a last look as you head away

A few kilometers north of Karuizawa, Shiraito Falls is a strikingly beautiful waterfall, only three meters high, but a full seventy meters across. At the springhead of a river, it's on a rockface with groundwater first flowing out then cascading down in hundreds of narrow threads, like an ever-moving lace curtain. If you've ever been asked by a child where rivers come from, this place will give you an answer.

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Peter Sidell @peter.sidell

I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.

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