Shirafuji Falls

What it is

• A waterfall with a twenty-meter vertical drop located in Ashoro Town, Hokkaido.
• The Shiramizu River flows from its source on Mount Meakan over this cliff.
• The site sits at an elevation of six hundred meters above sea level.
• The cliff face consists of welded tuff created by historical pyroclastic flows.

What to see

• Distinctive brown columnar joints are visible on the rock face of the cliff.
• The water flow over the falls is frequently turbid rather than clear.
• Fallen trees near the base have made reaching the basin difficult since 2006.

Getting there

• The site is accessible by driving along National Route 241.
• It is a twenty-minute drive from the Lake Akan Onsen area.
• A parking area is located a five-minute walk away from the waterfall.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.