<p>The rockface curves in and out for its seventy-meter length</p>

The rockface curves in and out for its seventy-meter length (Photo: Peter Sidell)

Shiraito Falls, Karuizawa

A graceful, cascading curtain of water

Peter Sidell Sep 27, 2012 - 1 min read

<p>The rockface curves in and out for its seventy-meter length</p>

<p>Fish grilling on their sticks at one of the food stands</p>

<p>The main breadth of the falls</p>

<p>There's a little line of food stands and souvenir shops</p>

<p>A path runs up alongside the brook from the car park and shops to the falls</p>

<p>There are some little cascades towards the top of the path</p>

<p>I wasn't the only one taking pictures</p>

<p>Another view from the side of the falls</p>

<p>The water collects in a clear pool before spilling down the slope</p>

<p>New views present themselves everywhere as you look around</p>

<p>It's good to turn round for a last look as you head away</p>

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.

Peter Sidell

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.