The Shiraito Highland Way by day, Karuizawa, Gunma Prefecture. (Photo: Lynda Hogan)

Shiraito Falls Christmas Session 2024

Midwinter light up of the falls in Karuizawa

Lynda Hogan   - 1 min read
Venue : Shiraito Falls When : Late Dec 2024

The Shiraito Falls are located in Karuizawa on the Nagano side. Karuizawa straddles both Nagano and Gunma prefectures. The falls are lit up during select periods in winter. The first of those illumination periods is called the "Christmas session". This year's Christmas session runs from December 22nd to 25th.

After the Christmas Session, there will be a New Year Session and a Valentine's Day Session.

Please note, there are no buses running to this event. They request that you come by car or taxi. Also, while the attraction and the event are free, you have to pay a charge for using the Shiraito Highland Way toll road. The Shiraito Highland Way is a scenic route through a lush forest. It connects old Karuizawa with Mount Asama. The featured photo is one segment of the road during daytime hours.

Getting there

Access by private car or taxi only. Take the Shiraito Highland way from Asama Shirane Shiga Sawayaka Highway.

More info

Find out more about Shiraito Falls.

Lynda Hogan

Lynda Hogan @lynda.hogan

Lynda has been in Japan for 20 years and blogging about Saitama on her personal blog insaitama.com for 14 of them.  Despite its central location, just North of Tokyo, Saitama is still quite unknown to the international tourist, but frequented by domestic travelers. It is a great place to experien...