Wakayama's most spectacular views can be seen from Shirahama Onsen and Shirarahama Beach. Enjoy swimming and hot springs all at once
Shirarahama Beach, Shirahama Onsen Sakinoyu

Shirahama Beach
Shirarahama, known as "Japan's Waikiki Beach," is a spectacular spot that attracts many people from the Kansai region. The contrast between the emerald green ocean and the 640m long white sand beach is appealing. Shirarahama is a beach where you can enjoy both playing in the ocean and taking in the scenery. How about a plan to gaze out at the ocean while bathing in Shirahama Onsen, which is considered one of Japan's three oldest hot springs along with Arima Onsen and Dogo Onsen? The recommended bath is Saki no Yu, which is said to have the oldest hot spring jar in Japan.
Saki no Yu
The bathtub is about 10 meters away from the ocean. When you soak in the open-air bath jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, you'll feel like you're in heaven floating in the ocean.
Shirahama Beach | ||
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Opening hours | : | 11:00〜21:30 |
address | : | 1600 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2211 |
web | : | http://www.town.shirahama.wakayama.jp/index.html |
Saki no Yu | ||
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Opening hours | : | 8:00-18:00 (April 1st - June 30th, September 1st - September 30th), 7:00-19:00 (July 1st - August 31st), 8:00-17:00 (October 1st - March 31st) |
Closed Day | : | Wednesday |
address | : | 1688 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2211 |
web | : | http://www.wakayama-onsen.jp/ |
Toretore Market is the largest seafood market in western Japan. It offers rare Wakayama delicacies and plum wine.
Toretore Market Nanki Shirahama
Toretore Market Nanki Shirahama
Travel is all about food. Many people travel to enjoy local specialties, right? Toretore Market, where Wakayama's specialties are gathered, is a must-visit spot. This market also has a restaurant, where you can cook the ingredients you purchase on the spot and enjoy fresh seafood. One of the delicacies we recommend trying is the delicacy moray eel. Despite its appearance, this white fish is elegant and delicate, and has long been loved by local fishermen. When eaten thinly sliced, it tastes almost like pufferfish.
The tuna cutting show, which is held irregularly, is worth a visit. It is usually held at lunchtime.
There is also a wide selection of plum wines made from Kishu plums, another Wakayama specialty, so you can enjoy the rich fruit flavor. However, be careful not to drink too much.
Toretore Market Nanki Shirahama | ||
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Opening hours | : | 11:00〜21:30 |
closing day | : | Updated regularly on the official website |
address | : | 2521 Katata, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2201 |
web | : | https://toretore.com/ |
A beer hall where you can enjoy an empty-handed barbecue while looking out at Shirarahama Beach
Club Caribbean
Club Caribbean
Club Caribbean is a beer hall that is only open during the summer months, located in Fisherman's Wharf Shirahama, a complex that also houses a seafood market and diving shops. Here, you can bring in your favorite seafood purchased at the seafood market on the first floor and enjoy a self-service barbecue.
You can enjoy freshly caught spiny lobsters at a reasonable price. You should also try the rare Japanese spiny lobster.
Another great thing about the place is that you can enjoy a barbecue without bringing anything with you. For alcohol lovers, we recommend the "Shirahama Highball," made with syrup from "jabara," a rare citrus fruit that is said to grow only in Kitayama Village, Wakayama.
Club Caribbean (inside Fisherman's Wharf Shirahama) | ||
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Business period | : | April 29th, 2017 (Saturday, national holiday) - end of October (please contact us for details) |
Opening hours | : | Lunch time 11:00-15:00 / Dinner time 18:00-22:00 |
Closed Day | : | Open daily |
address | : | 1667-22 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2211 |
web | : | http://fw-sh.com/ |
Recommended as a souvenir from Nanki Shirahama. Exquisite olive oil and gelato created by a chef and sommelier
Nanki Shirahama Olive & Gelato Factory
The gourmet duo Hirooka, a chef and sommelier, ran a vegetable garden restaurant. One day, they were drawn to the charm of olives and started cultivating them in their own vegetable garden. It is amazing that they cultivated 15,000m2 of land by hand and created olive oil from scratch. The olive oil they make with such passion is simply superb. You can taste the flavored oils with the scent of truffle and lemon, so you will be spoilt for choice. Why not find one you like and buy it as a souvenir?

Nanki Shirahama Olive & Gelato Factory

Ripe plum and olive gelato
On hot days, we also recommend gelato made with fruit from the cafe's own garden.
Nanki Shirahama Olive & Gelato Factory | ||
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Opening hours | : | 11:00〜17:00 |
Closed Day | : | none |
address | : | 2927-1689 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2211 |
web | : | http://shirahamaolive.com/ |
A slow food buffet with plenty of Wakayama vegetables
Farm Restaurant "Mikan Batake" (inside Akizuno Garden)
Akitsuno Garden
Akizuno Garden opened in 2008 after renovating a former elementary school. Inside the retro wooden school building are accommodation facilities, an agricultural experience facility, and a take-out shop selling sweets made from Kishu mikan oranges, a Wakayama specialty. One place you should definitely visit is the farm restaurant Mikan Batake, which offers a slow food buffet.

Slow food buffet in a mandarin orange field
The lunch buffet, which offers over 30 kinds of local vegetables, is limited to 100 servings per day and costs just 950 yen. Reservations are not accepted, so it's best to visit early. The food, made by local mothers, has a nostalgic taste. Enjoy lunch in the courtyard on a sunny day.
Farm Restaurant "Mikan Batake" | ||
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Opening hours | : | Monday to Friday 11:30 to 14:00 / Public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays 11:00 to 14:00 (Akizuno Garden is open from 9:00 to 17:00) |
Closed Day | : | none |
address | : | 4558-8 Kamiakizu, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, 646-0001 |
web | : | http://www.agarten.jp/index.html |
*Some content was updated on September 17, 2019.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.