Shiraito Highland Way Drive: Toll, Shiraito Falls Parking, Winter Tyres and Map

The Shiraito Highland Way is a 10 km toll road from Mikasa in Kyu-Karuizawa, past Shiraito Falls, to Minenochaya at the foot of Mt Asama. It runs through the forest of Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park, and you can stop at Shiraito Falls and Ryugaeshi Falls on the way.

Beyond Minenochaya it connects to the Onioshi Highway, towards Onioshidashi Park on Mt Asama and Kusatsu. This page covers the toll, parking, the November roadworks, winter tyres and how to get there.

Shiraito Highland Way at a glance

Suggested route and map

From Kyu-Karuizawa, enter at the Mikasa toll gate and stop at Ryugaeshi Falls, then Shiraito Falls. From there the route continues to Minenochaya.

Distances are calculated from map data. You can leave at either toll gate, but if you leave and re-enter, you pay the toll again.

Stops and parking, in route order

Walk to Ryugaeshi Falls from the Kose Onsen entrance

Ryugaeshi Falls (Suzugataki) drops 10 m, and its flow changes little through the year. Enter at the Kose Onsen bus stop and the car park is just inside. From the car park the falls are about 15 minutes on foot. Large vehicles cannot use this car park.

Shiraito Falls is about 200 m from the car park

At Shiraito Falls, hundreds of threads of groundwater flow down a rock face 3 m high and 70 m wide. The falls stand at 1,260 m, at the source of the Yukawa River.

The free car park (about 200 ordinary cars and 5 large vehicles) is on the left 7 km from the Mikasa toll gate, and on the right 2 km from the Minenochaya toll gate. Large vehicles cannot book; spaces are first come, first served.

From the path entrance in front of the shop to the falls is about 200 m, uphill towards the falls. Wheelchairs can pass with a helper. Toilets are at the car park and in front of the shop.

The falls are lit up on some days in summer and winter. In summer 2026 this was on 18 days from 24 July to 30 August, mainly at weekends, and the previous winter on 12 days from December to February. The illumination has no admission charge, but the toll still applies. No buses or other public transport run during illumination hours, so go by car or taxi.

From Minenochaya to the Onioshi Highway

At the Minenochaya junction (1,405 m) you join Route 146. With Mt Asama straight ahead, go on to the Onioshi Highway (a separate toll road) for Onioshidashi Park and Tsumagoi Village in Gunma.

Onioshi Highway tolls for ordinary cars are ¥280 for Minenochaya–Onioshidashi and ¥370 for Onioshidashi–Mihara. Sales of the combined ticket with the Shiraito Highland Way were suspended on 31 March 2025.

Onioshidashi Park opens 08:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Its season and hours may change, or it may close, depending on the time of year. Admission is ¥700 for individual visitors of junior high school age and older, and parking is free (750 passenger cars).

Open season and road restrictions

The Mikasa side closes in daytime on 16–20 November

On four of the days from Monday 16 to Friday 20 November 2026, 08:00–17:00, the section from the Mikasa toll gate to just before Rising Field Karuizawa closes for pavement repairs. You can enter at the Minenochaya toll gate, but you cannot drive through towards Kyu-Karuizawa or Karuizawa Station.

To reach Shiraito Falls from the Karuizawa Station side during this period, go north on Route 146 from Naka-Karuizawa and enter at the Minenochaya toll gate.

In winter, use studless tyres or chains

From mid-November to mid-April there is snow and ice. The road has many slopes and tight bends, so drive with studless tyres or tyre chains. Do not use all-season tyres, even if they have the snowflake mark.

Opening hours are posted at the toll gates. Road conditions are on the top page of the Shiraito Highland Way website; check the date shown as well.

Best seasons and crowds

On holiday weekends, the streets of Karuizawa get very busy, especially the road from Usui-Karuizawa IC into town. From Tokyo, leaving at Matsuida-Myogi IC or Sakudaira PA Smart IC can be quicker; from Nagano, try Komoro IC, Saku IC or Sakudaira PA Smart IC.

In the autumn-colour season the road along the south side of Kumoba Pond is one-way (17 October–15 November and 20–24 November, 08:15–17:00). You can enter only from the roundabout side. Bicycles and other light vehicles are exempt.

Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza street is for pedestrians and bicycles only, 11:00–18:00 on weekends and public holidays until 30 November, and surrounding roads become one-way. If you are heading to the Mikasa toll gate around midday at a weekend, you could enter from the Minenochaya side instead.

Getting there and fuel

From the Kyu-Karuizawa side, go north from Karuizawa Station on Prefectural Route 133. At the Kyu-Karuizawa rotary, turn towards the former Mikasa Hotel and follow Mikasa-dori to the Mikasa toll gate. This takes about 10 minutes from Karuizawa. From Usui-Karuizawa IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway to Shiraito Falls is 22 km and about 50 minutes.

From the Minenochaya side, take Route 18 from Komoro IC or Saku IC to Naka-Karuizawa, go north on Route 146, and turn right at the Shiraito Falls entrance. The Minenochaya toll gate is about 40 minutes away. From Kusatsu, it is 36 km and about 1 hour 10 minutes from the Kusatsu junction to the Minenochaya toll gate, via the Onioshi Highway.

Fill up in the town of Karuizawa before heading into the mountains.

Without a car: bus or rental car

From the north exit of Karuizawa Station, the Kusakaru Kotsu bus takes about 25 minutes to the Shiraito-no-Taki bus stop, and the falls are about 5 minutes on foot from there.

During the four working days between 16 and 20 November, the bus also detours between Mikasa and Minenochaya and does not call at Shiraito Falls. To reach places along the road by public transport during this period, use a taxi. To rent a car instead, you need an International Driving Permit or other accepted licence.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the toll?

¥500 for ordinary and kei cars. It is the same whether you drive through or turn back at Shiraito Falls.

Is the Shiraito Falls car park free?

Yes. It holds about 200 ordinary cars.

Can I drive it in winter?

From mid-November to mid-April there is snow and ice, so you need studless tyres or chains.

Can I walk or cycle on the road?

No. Pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles of 125 cc or less are not allowed.

How long does it take from Karuizawa Station?

By car, Karuizawa to the Mikasa toll gate takes about 10 minutes, and Usui-Karuizawa IC to Shiraito Falls about 50 minutes. By bus, Karuizawa Station to the Shiraito-no-Taki bus stop takes about 25 minutes, then about 5 minutes on foot to the falls. During the roadworks detour, the bus does not call at Shiraito Falls.

Related guides

• Karuizawa Driving Guide: Kyu-Karuizawa, Shiraito Falls and Onioshidashi Route with Map
• Shiga-Kusatsu Road Drive: Shibu Pass, Route Map and Winter Closures
• Venus Line Day Drive: Route Map, Stops, Parking and Winter Closures