Shiraito Falls, near Fujinomiya at the southwestern foot of Mount Fuji, is one of Japan’s most graceful waterfalls, its name meaning ‘white threads’ after the hundreds of silky streams of water that pour over a curved, 20-metre-high and 150-metre-wide cliff face. Almost all of the water is Mount Fuji’s rain and snowmelt, filtered through the volcanic rock for decades before emerging from the cliff itself, and the falls are a component site of Fuji’s World Heritage listing, long revered as a place of worship and purification.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Fujinomiya, Shizuoka |
| Hours | Always accessible (viewing paths daytime) |
| Admission | Free |
| Time needed | 45–75 min |
| Best time | Year-round; late autumn for foliage |
What to See
- Hundreds of silky water threads pouring over a 150-metre-wide curved cliff.
- Fuji’s filtered spring water emerging directly from the rock face.
- A component site of Mount Fuji’s World Heritage listing.
- Mount Fuji visible above the falls from certain angles on clear days.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Ryugenbuchi emerald pools nearby.
- Pair with Mt Fuji Fujinomiya Trail in climbing season.
- Read our Shizuoka overview .
Getting There
- By bus: buses run from Fujinomiya Station to the falls, roughly 30 minutes.
- By car: parking available near the viewing paths.
Tips
The viewing path descends to the basin for the classic front-on view, so wear comfortable shoes for the stairs back up. Unlike waterfalls fed by a single river, the water here seeps directly from the cliff, so the flow is remarkably steady year-round, and on clear days certain angles capture both the falls and Fuji together.
