The white beard
Threads of water.
RJD — CC BY 3.0 · OKJaguar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Petr Meissner from Czech Republic — CC BY 2.0 · 663highland — CC BY 2.5 · Takanori Nakanowatari from Tokyo, Japan — CC BY 2.0 · LR0725 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · lumoplank — CC0 · 663highland — CC BY 2.5
A waterfall in the Shirogane hot-spring area of Biei, 30 metres high and of a type rare in Japan: groundwater seeping from cracks in the canyon wall in many thin threads, like a white beard, which is what Shirahige means. It pours into the Biei River, which runs through the gorge in a blue-green colour; this stretch is called the Blue River and lies not far from the famous Blue Pond. Visitors see the falls and the river from the Shirogane bridge right above the gorge, and the scene changes with the seasons: summer green, autumn colour and winter snow on the rocks. Viewing is free. A bus from Biei Station takes about 26 minutes to the Shirogane Onsen stop, then it is a three-minute walk; it combines easily with the Blue Pond in one trip.
Threads of water.
In the gorge.
Over the gorge.
Shirogane Onsen, Biei
From the Shirogane bridge above the gorge, near the Shirogane Onsen bus stop; viewing is free.