Nikko Shiraito Waterfall (nikko-shiraito-no-taki [日光・白糸の滝])

Nikko, Tochigi, Japan

About Nikko Shiraito Waterfall (nikko-shiraito-no-taki [日光・白糸の滝])

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Nikko Shiraito Waterfall (nikko-shiraito-no-taki [日光・白糸の滝]; Nikko Shiraito Falls, not to be confused with the many other Shiraito Falls in Japan) was my waterfalling excuse to explore the area around the Toshogu Shrine.

By the way, the Toshogu Shrine was the most famous of all the World Heritage temples and shrines in Nikko [日光], and it’s what draws the international tourists (i.e. crowds) here.

Shiraito_Falls_and_Takimoo_Shrine_009_04142023 - The Shiraito Waterfall in Nikko
The Shiraito Waterfall in Nikko

So it’s in this context that was impressed upon me during my visit to the Shiraito Waterfall despite its rather humble size at the foot of the Takinoo Shrine.

For starters, it was delightfully uncrowded, less commercialized, and more of a tranquil “zen” experience compared to the more commercialized and lemmings-like mentality that prevails further downslope.

Perhaps part of the reason why this waterfall doesn’t get much notoriety is that it’s a diminutive waterfall (maybe between 5-10m tall) fronted by infrastructure supporting the Takinoo Shrine approach to its entrance.

With that context, it makes the waterfall almost feel like an afterthought though I did notice a memorial here for John K. Emmerson, who was an American diplomat (making me wonder if that waterfall had something to do with him).

Shiraito_Falls_and_Takimoo_Shrine_016_04142023 - The memorial for John K. Emmerson and Dorothy M. Emmerson near the Shiraito Falls
The memorial for John K. Emmerson and Dorothy M. Emmerson near the Shiraito Falls

Anyways, for all intents and purposes, this was essentially a nearly roadside waterfall as I self-drove to the ??? shrine, which has limited car park space right across from bridges fronting the Shiraito Falls.

Now, if I didn’t have my own wheels, I could have also walked around 1.2km from the Toshogu Shrine complex and go up the narrow roads past the car parks for the shrine area just as one gaijin did here, who shared the experience with me momentarily.

After having our fill of the falls, we each then went up the steps to explore the Takinoo Shrine, which did not charge admission.

The complex had a handful of less blinged out shrine buildings and torii gates as well as more man-modified waterfalls on the same stream causing the Shiraito Falls.

Shiraito_Falls_pano_001_iPhone_04152023 - Wide angle pano shot of some of the buildings of the Takino'o Shrine above the Shiraito Falls
Wide angle pano shot of some of the buildings of the Takino’o Shrine above the Shiraito Falls

I didn’t explore another path that went downstream along the stream so I can’t say where that path went, but I had a pretty satisfying experience though I was mindful of the slippery footing given the moderate rain during my visit.

Authorities

The Nikko Shiraito Waterfall resides in the Nikko area of the Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It may be administered by the Nikko National Park. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting the Nikko Tourism Association website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: nikko, tochigi, japan, waterfall, unesco, toshogu, all nikko pass, takimoo, shrines, temples, world heritage, uncrowded



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls

The Waterfaller Newsletter

The Waterfaller Newsletter is where we curate the wealth of information on the World of Waterfalls website and deliver it to you in bite-sized chunks in your email inbox. You'll also get exclusive content like...

  • Waterfall Wednesdays
  • Insider Tips
  • User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month
  • and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls


How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.