Going Solo in Japan – October 2009 Last Updated: January 26, 2024

Mt. Asama and  Shiraito waterfall – Nagano

During our visits to Saku General hospital, where we went at least 3 times, we had a chance to explore surrounding attractions.

Nagano Prefecture in the centre of Japan’s Honshu island, is known for its mountains. One of the attraction is Karuizawa.  Sitting around 1000 metres above sea level, Karuizawa enjoys a notably cooler climate. It is a popular destination for people from Tokyo being located on Shinkansen route with only 2.5 hours ride. It offers  a cool alpine air offering lots of reasons to visit. Karuizawa is situated at the eastern edge of the Japanese Alps. The town is surrounded by mountains and hills,The town is known for its beautiful landscapes, including forests, waterfalls, and hiking trails. The natural beauty of the area attracts visitors throughout the year

Karuizawa is located in Northern Japanese Alps at the boundary of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park.  Karuizawa is an ideal point from where to explore Japan’s fourth largest national park. Boasting multiple mountain peaks, including the active volcanoes of Mount Asama and Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, forests and wetlands, hiking trails, unique alpine flora and fauna, and Japan’s largest ski fields, Joshinetsu Kogen is one of Central Japan’s most rewarding destinations.

Our main interest in going to Karuizawa was to visit Mt. Asama and  Shiraito waterfall.

From our hotel in Saku a short walk took us to Nakagomi station. From there using Koumi line we reached short ride in the train we reached Karuizawa. Our main attraction was Mount Asama and a very interesting water fall named Shiraito waterfall. We were directed to a bus station near by and boarded a bus. The bus took us to Mt. Asama the most active volcano in Honshu region 

Mount Asama

Asama is an active complex volcano in central Honshū, the main island of Japan. The volcano is one of the most active on Honshū between Gumma and Nagano prefectures. And one of the prominent peaks in the Japanese Alps. 

It stands 2,568 metres (8,425 ft) above sea level on the border of Gumma and Nagano prefectures. It is included in 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. A University of Tokyo volcano observatory is located on the mountain’s east slope.

TAsama has a long history of eruptions, with significant events recorded as far back as 685 AD. One of the most notable eruptions occurred in 1783, known as the Tenmei eruption, which caused widespread damage and loss of life.

The volcano remains active, with eruptions as recent as 2009 and 2019. Monitoring and research are ongoing to understand its activity and mitigate risks.

• Crater: The crater at the summit is a prominent feature, and fumaroles (openings emitting steam and gases) are common.

Shiraito Waterfall – Taki Japanese

All waterfalls start as rivulets which when they reach a steep rock descend down as a water fall.

This waterfall near Karuizawa has a unique origin that explains why water flows year round.

There are many famous waterfalls around the world.

Everybody knows about Niagara in USA, Iguazu at boarder of Brazil & Argentina, Victoria falls at border of Zimbabwe & Zambia. To this I like to add our own Niagara falls at Athirapally in Kerala. And Iceland of course is a gallery of waterfalls.

Shiraito no Taki, also known as the Shiraito Waterfall, is a beautiful and serene waterfall located near Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. 

Shiraito no Taki stands at about 3 meters (10 feet) high and stretches approximately 70 meters (230 feet) wide. Unlike many waterfalls, it is characterized by its gentle, curtain-like flow of water, resembling white threads hanging from a cliff, which is how it gets its name (“Shiraito” means “white threads”).

The water flows from the volcanic Mount Asama, which is nearby. The water is filtered through the volcanic rock, emerging crystal clear and cool even in summer.

Shiraito Waterfall’s spring is fed from precipitation falling into Mt Asama. The water seeps underground. This water takes 6 years to travel through the groundwater system and re emerges at this site as a waterfall.

Therefore, it’s also said that this stream never dries up even in the icy winter months because the water’s temperature tends to stay constant at 11.8 degrees C.

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.

Immediately below the Shiraito Waterfall is a secondary waterfall that is shaped such that water cascades over several steps.

Shiraito-no-taki Waterfall is one of the most famous natural site in Karuizawa area. While its height is only 3 meters, the width is about 70 meters long. Surprisingly, the water’s temperature is not so cold. The reason is because the water is not originally from river or rainfall, but is gushing out of rocks. Also the amount of water coming out does not change much throughout the year. I thought the water contains a lot of minerals so I wanted to taste it. But I did not since no one around me was drinking it.

This visit was very enjoyable . We didn’t go in to Karuizawa city.