Shira-Ito Falls near Mt. Fuji
The Shira-Ito Falls (白糸ノ滝: lit. white-thread falls or “silk thread” falls) near the Shiba River are a unique waterfall in the scenic, lush surroundings of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park on the western slope of Mt. Fuji in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Unlike most waterfalls where a river simply flows over a cliff, these falls are the result water seeping from between a lower nonporous stratum formed by eruptions of “Old Fuji” from about 100,000 years ago, and an upper porous stratum that was later formed by eruptions of “New Fuji” that have occurred during the last 5,000 years.
As the water seeps out from the cliff walls, slender silk-like threads of water gush out, thus the naming of Shita-Ito Falls.
The falls are only about 20 m tall (65.6 ft), and form a half-circle that is about 150 m wide (492 ft). Looking east, the peak of Mt. Fuji can be seen above the foliage on a clear day.
In 1936, the falls were designated as a Natural Monument, and later in 1950, the falls were ranked as No. 1 among the list of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. In 2013, the falls were included with 25 sites as part of the Fujisan Cultural Site that was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The falls are easily accessible from Tokyo by either the Tomei Expressway or the Chuo Expressway, with two large parking lots near the falls which only cost 500 yen for a full day.
Regardless of the weather, the falls are incredibly beautiful. If you visit during summer, the higher elevation offers a welcome relief from the daily grind of commuting and working in the concrete jungle of urban Japan.
Access:
Website:
Fujinomiya Tourist Association (Japanese + Machine Translation)
Silk Threads of Water
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
40 mm ISO 100 for 1/4 sec. at ƒ8.0
Close-Up Shot of Falls
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
80 mm ISO 100 for 0.8 sec. at ƒ/11
Snow-Melt Channeled Over Falls
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
68 mm ISO 100 for 0.6 sec. at ƒ/11
References:
Fujinomiya City Website (Japanese)
The Gate by Roseau Pensant Inc. (English + useful access info by train and bus)
FIEJA Magazine (English + Japanese)
National Park Resorts of Japan, Kyukamura Hotels (English + Japanese)
Kanpai (English)
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