Shiramizu Falls, Natural waterfall in Shirakawa-go, Japan
Shiramizu Falls is a waterfall in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, where water drops steeply down a bare rock face. It falls 76 m (about 249 ft) and spans 8 m (about 26 ft) wide, sending water rushing down dark stone into a forested valley below.
The waterfall lies in the mountain region around Shirakawa-go, an area shaped for centuries by heavy snowfall and remoteness. That isolation kept both the natural setting and the local way of life largely unchanged for a long time.
The falls sit close to Shirakawa-go village, known for its old farmhouses with steep thatched roofs built in a style called gasshō-zukuri, meaning hands folded in prayer. Visitors who walk through the area pass from thick forest to open village streets within a short distance.
The ground around the falls is uneven and calls for sturdy footwear before setting out. Those planning to continue into the mountains toward Mount Haku or nearby waterfalls should check trail conditions in advance.
In winter, the water freezes against the rock and builds up into an ice formation that looks different every year. The area sits in one of the snowiest parts of Japan, so the surrounding landscape can disappear under several meters of snow.
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