World Heritage Site Illumination

Shiraito Falls, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture 2021 Autumn Leaves Illumination (Limited Time)

Location

Panoramic view showing the grand scale

Shiraito Falls is located to the west of Mt. Fuji, in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
It is one of the properties of Mt. Fuji’s certification as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
The world-famous falls make a stunning sight with arches on three sides reaching 20 meters high and 150 meters wide.

Introduction

Fujinomiya City

Planning Group, Mt. Fuji World Heritage Site Committee, Planning Department

Mr.Yuichi Endō

Explanatory signboard near the waterfall basin

We spoke with Yuichi Endō, an employee of Fujinomiya City Hall, which is in charge of the management and jurisdiction of Shiraito Falls.

Thank you for taking the time to talk to us today. I know you must be busy because it’s a construction day, so let’s get down to business.
Fujinomiya City has a department called the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Site Committee, right?

Mr.Endō: “Yes, Mt. Fuji is a World Cultural Heritage Site, and the department is involved in a wide range of work related to the planning, surveying, maintenance, and community development of the World Heritage Site. Shiraito Falls is actually one of 25 properties that make up Mt. Fuji’s status as a World Cultural Heritage Site, six of which are in Fujinomiya City. That’s more than anywhere else in Shizuoka Prefecture.”

Was this the first time there was an illumination at Shiraito Falls?

Mr.Endō:“It wasn’t. In 2017, there was a one-day, limited-time illumination to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the city’s municipalization. We actually used Stanley’s LED floodlights at that time too, though fewer than we did this time.”

I didn’t know that. Thank you.

Background

A flyer advertising the illumination

Can you tell us about the background behind the illumination?

Mr.Endō:“In 2020, Mt. Fuji’s trails were not opened as usual to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This caused a sense of loss for a lot of people, and we wondered if there was anything the city could do for them. We changed our perspective to what you can see of Mt. Fuji while climbing, and we had the idea that at this time of year, with the foliage at its peak, we could put on a night-time illumination at Shiraito Falls for a sight that most people don’t get to see when they visit Mt. Fuji. Then, we planned this event.”

What a great plan. I’m glad our LED floodlights could play a part in it. Was there anything you did to liven up the event?

Mr.Endō:“We made a special event flyer and also held a social media campaign. We wanted those who could participate to look forward to the event, and we wanted the images to bring joy to those who couldn’t come to see it.”

That was a nice idea.

Mr.Endō:“Before the illumination at Shiraito Falls, there was another one at the Fujisan Hongu Sengentaisha shrine.”

I wish I could’ve seen that too.

Installation

Unfortunately, the first day of the illumination was rainy.

Could you tell me what led you to choose our floodlights this time?

Mr.Endō:“Of course. Since this place was designated as a World Heritage Site, the regulations have become strict. The installation of floodlights by the walking path off of the falls is regulated by the Natural Parks Act, and we were also required to submit our plan for the illumination to the Ministry of the Environment. That’s why your narrow-angle floodlights were helpful. The best thing for us to do was to aim them at the falls from a distance, without getting close.”

It’s great that the narrow-angle light could help you comply with the regulations.

Mr.Endō:“It is. Also, the light from the floodlights allows different color temperatures, so we thought we could coordinate it with the foliage of different trees so people could really enjoy the scenery.”

The illumination in the rain

I heard from a lighting designer that you can reduce the number of LED floodlights, modulate the light and shadow, and have the lights create a pinpoint effect that stands out and looks cool.

Mr.Endō:“Yes, exactly. I know that the illumination will be over by the time this piece is published, but the falls are still stunning, even during the daytime. I hope people will come to visit Shiraito Falls.”

Thank you for your time today, Mr. Endō.

(From left to right) The narrow-angle light illuminating the waterfall.
Installing the LEDSFOCUS PRO LLF0111A.

At the sightseeing tower on the right-hand bank, they installed seven LED floodlights at angles of 2.5° and 3° and aimed them to light the falls 70 meters away.

(From left to right) The viewing area around the front of the waterfall basin.
Gold light from the LEDSFOCUS GOLD.

There were also four main LED floodlights at a 5° angle in the viewing area in front of the waterfall basin, aimed at the area with the greatest amount of water, 60 meters away.
The color temperature was arranged at gold of 3000K to 6500K, creating a lively look together with the foliage.

Shiraito Falls

Shiraito Falls,
a property of Mt. Fuji, a World Cultural Heritage Site

Address:
273-1 Kamiide, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture
From the Shin-Fuji Interchange/Tomei Fuji Interchange of the Shin-Tōmei Expressway:
About 40 min. by car
From the JR Minobu Line Fujinomiya Station: About 30 min. by car
(Bus routes available)

Inquiries
Weekdays only 0544-22-1111
(Fujinomiya City Hall switchboard number)

The 2020 illumination was a five-day,
limited-time event from November 20 to 24.