Fodor's Expert Review Shiraito and Ryugaeshi Waterfalls

Hiking paths get crowded during the tourist season, but these waterfalls make a good afternoon excursion in the off-season. To get to the trailhead at Mine-no-Chaya, take the bus from Karuizawa Station. The ride takes about 25 minutes and costs ¥710. From the trailhead it's about a one-hour hike to Shiraito for the 3-meter-high, 70-meter-wide falls. You can take the bus back to Karuizawa Station from here or continue on to the not-so-impressive Ryugaeshi falls (90 minutes). From these falls it's a 15-minute walk to the bus stop and a 20-minute bus ride back to Karuizawa.