Shirahama Onsen and Shirahama Beach: White Sand and Hot Springs at Kansai's Top Resort

Shirahama in Shirahama Town, Nishimuro District, Wakayama is a historic hot spring town known since ancient times as "Muro no Yuyu" (Muro's Hot Water), even appearing in the Nihon Shoki chronicles. As one of Japan's three oldest hot springs alongside Dogo and Arima, it attracts over 3 million tourists annually.

Shirara Beach: Kansai's Premier White Sand Beach

Shirara Beach is Shirahama's iconic attraction. The pure white sandy beach, beautiful enough to have established a sister beach relationship with Australia's Whitehaven Beach, stretches approximately 620 meters. In summer, swimmers flock from throughout Kansai.

Saki-no-Yu: Open-Air Rock Bath Overlooking the Sea

"Saki-no-Yu" is an open-air bath that springs directly from rocks overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Said to be Japan's oldest outdoor bath, it offers a one-of-a-kind experience of bathing while feeling the spray of dramatic waves.

Senjojiki and Sandanbeki

The Shirahama area also features dramatic rock formations. "Senjojiki" (Thousand Tatami Mats) is a wave-sculpted rock platform the size of a thousand tatami mats, while "Sandanbeki" features 50-60 meter cliffs extending 2 kilometers — dramatic natural beauty at its finest.

Access

About 10 minutes by bus from JR Shirahama Station. About 2 hours from Osaka by JR limited express.