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MAR 30 2017

Japan's Waikiki Beach? A trip to Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, just 15 minutes from the airport

Nanki Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture is famous for the stunning Shirara Beach and Shirahama Onsen, as well as Adventure World where you can meet pandas. If you are going overland from the Kanto region, it is a little inconvenient to get there, but you can actually get to Nanki Shirahama Airport in 75 minutes from Haneda Airport, so flying is recommended. This time, we will guide you on a trip that can be enjoyed by bus and on foot, focusing on the classic tourist spots. If you have time, why not combine your visit with a tour of Mount Koya and the Kumano Kodo trails?

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

画像: 白良浜

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
Opening hours11:00〜21:30
address1600 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2211
webhttp://www.town.shirahama.wakayama.jp/index.html
Saki no Yu
Opening hours8:00-18:00 (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 DayWednesday
address1688 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2211
webhttp://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
Opening hours11:00〜21:30
closing dayUpdated regularly on the official website
address2521 Katata, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2201
webhttps://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)
Business periodApril 29th, 2017 (Saturday, national holiday) - end of October (please contact us for details)
Opening hoursLunch time 11:00-15:00 / Dinner time 18:00-22:00
Closed DayOpen daily
address1667-22 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2211
webhttp://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?

Image: Nanki Shirahama Olive & Gelato Factory

Nanki Shirahama Olive & Gelato Factory

Image: Ripe plum and olive gelato

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
Opening hours11:00〜17:00
Closed Daynone
address2927-1689 Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, 649-2211
webhttp://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.

Image: Slow food buffet in a mandarin orange field

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"
Opening hoursMonday 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 Daynone
address4558-8 Kamiakizu, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, 646-0001
webhttp://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.

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