Wakayama · Town
Shirahama
白浜町しらはまちょうShirahama-chōWhite sand and old hot springs on the Kii coast
Shirahama is a seaside resort town on the southern Kii coast, known for the white-sand beach of Shirarahama, hot springs that have been visited since the 7th century, and the dramatic coastal rock formations of Sandanbeki, Senjōjiki and Engetsutō.
Overview
Shirahama occupies a small peninsula on the south side of Tanabe Bay. Its hot springs, then called Muro no Yu or Mura no Yu, are among the oldest recorded in Japan: the Nihon Shoki mentions visits by Empress Saimei and Emperor Tenji in the 7th century, and Shirahama is counted with Arima and Dōgo among Japan's three ancient hot springs.
The town's other attraction is its coast. The crescent beach of Shirarahama is made of fine, nearly white quartz sand, and nearby, the Pacific has carved stepped rock platforms at Senjōjiki, the 50-metre cliffs of Sandanbeki with a sea cave below, and the arched islet of Engetsutō, where the sun sets through the arch around the equinoxes. Shirahama is also a major family resort, with an aquarium and the Adventure World zoo, and the gateway to the southern Kii Peninsula via Nanki-Shirahama Airport.
Landmarks
Shirarahama
白良浜ShirarahamaCrescent beach of white quartz sand about 620 metres long, the symbol of the town.
Sakinoyu
崎の湯SakinoyuOpen-air bath on the rocks at the water's edge, on the site of the springs visited by ancient emperors.
Senjōjiki
千畳敷SenjōjikiWide, layered sandstone rock platform sloping into the sea, said to be as large as a thousand tatami mats.
Sandanbeki
三段壁SandanbekiCliffs about 50 metres high with a sea cave, reached by lift, once said to hide the Kumano navy's boats.
Engetsutō
円月島EngetsutōSmall island with a natural arch at the mouth of Tanabe Bay, known for sunsets.
Minakata Kumagusu Memorial Museum
南方熊楠記念館Minakata Kumagusu KinenkanMuseum on the Banshoyama headland devoted to the naturalist, overlooking the sea.
Adventure World
アドベンチャーワールドAdobenchā WārudoZoo, aquarium and safari park, where a long-running programme with China bred many giant pandas.
Districts
Shirahama Onsen
白浜温泉Shirahama OnsenResort area around Shirarahama with hotels, public baths and shops.
Yuzaki
湯崎YuzakiThe oldest spring area, with Sakinoyu and the Muro-no-yu public bath.
Katata harbour
堅田漁港Katata gyokōFishing port with a morning market and fresh seafood restaurants.
Hiki-gawa
日置川HikigawaRural southern district along the Hiki River, known for clear water and kayaking.
History
Emperors and aristocrats travelled to the springs of Muro in the 7th and 8th centuries; the Man'yōshū records poems from these journeys. In the Edo period the Kishū lords visited Yuzaki, the oldest spring area. Modern Shirahama developed as a resort after 1919, when a land company began building the spa town on the sandy peninsula, and grew rapidly with the railway and later the airport. The town merged with Hiki-gawa in 2006.
658
Empress Saimei visits the hot springs of Muro, according to the Nihon Shoki.
701
Empress Jitō and Emperor Monmu travel to the springs of Muro.
1919
Development of the modern Shirahama spa resort begins.
1933
The railway reaches Shirahama; the station opened as Shirahama-guchi.
1968
Nanki-Shirahama Airport opens.
2006
Shirahama merges with the town of Hiki-gawa.
Culture
Shirahama is primarily a leisure town, with a culture of public bathing that goes back to the Man'yō age. The Sakinoyu bath and the free foot baths along the seafront continue that tradition. The town has close links with Hawaii through a sister-beach relationship between Shirarahama and Waikiki.
Festivals
Shirahama Onsen Summer Fireworks
白浜花火フェスティバルShirahama Hanabi FesutibaruFireworks over Shirarahama beach at the height of summer.
Beach opening
海開きumibirakiShirarahama traditionally opens for swimming earlier than most Japanese beaches, in early May.
Engetsutō sunset season
円月島の夕日Engetsutō no yūhiAround the spring and autumn equinoxes the sun sets in line with the arch of Engetsutō.
Food
Kue nabe
クエ鍋kue-nabeHot pot of longtooth grouper, a luxurious winter speciality of Shirahama and Hiki.
Katsuo and tuna
鰹・まぐろkatsuo, maguroFresh bonito and tuna served as sashimi and don at the harbour.
Onsen tamago
温泉たまごonsen tamagoSoft eggs slow-cooked in hot-spring water.
Kishū umeboshi
紀州梅干しKishū umeboshiPlums from the neighbouring Tanabe and Minabe orchards.
Getting around
- Shirahama Station on the JR Kisei Main Line is about 2 hours 30 minutes from Shin-Ōsaka by limited express Kuroshio; buses run from the station to the resort area and beaches.
- Nanki-Shirahama Airport, a few minutes from the town centre, has flights to Tokyo-Haneda.
- Highway buses connect Shirahama with Osaka and Kyoto.
- Local loop buses link Shirarahama, Senjōjiki, Sandanbeki and Engetsutō.
Day trips
Trailheads of the Nakahechi pilgrimage route, reached via Kii-Tanabe.
Kushimoto and Cape Shionomisaki
Honshu's southernmost point and the Hashigui-iwa rock pillars, further south along the coast.
Japan's highest single-drop waterfall, about two hours along the coast.
Temple town in the mountains, reached via Wakayama and Hashimoto.
Other cities in the prefecture
Frequently asked questions
When is the swimming season at Shirarahama?
The beach traditionally opens in early May and is busiest from July to August. Lifeguards and facilities operate mainly in summer.
Is the sand at Shirarahama natural?
The beach's white quartz sand eroded over the 20th century, and sand has been brought in from overseas to replenish it; the beach keeps its white appearance.
Can day visitors use the hot springs?
Yes. Public baths such as Sakinoyu and Shirasuna (on the beach) are open to day visitors, and several free foot baths line the town.
How do I get to Shirahama from Osaka?
By JR limited express Kuroshio from Shin-Ōsaka or Tennōji in about two and a half hours, or by highway bus.
Related
Sources
- 1.令和2年国勢調査 (opens in a new tab) — Statistics Bureau of Japan
- 2.白浜町ホームページ (opens in a new tab) — 白浜町
- 3.和歌山県ホームページ (opens in a new tab) — 和歌山県