Experience your first workcation in Nanki Shirahama. A trip that will enrich your work and play experience

When considering your first workation, there is one important thing you should keep in mind. It is to have two attractive features: a good work environment and plenty of vacation time in a nearby location. There are not many areas where you can find an environment that will make your work more efficient than usual, and also a place where you can experience something out of the ordinary close by.

The area we recommend as a workation destination where you can enjoy both work and play is Nanki Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture. In this article, we will explain the appeal of Nanki Shirahama for workation, and in the second half of the article we will also introduce some great deals.

Nanki Shirahama: a resort town with excellent access from the city center

Located in the southern part of the warm Kii Peninsula, Shirahama Town in Wakayama Prefecture is known as a "sea and hot spring resort." Commonly known as Nanki Shirahama, Shirarahama Beach, with its white sand beach stretching for over 600 meters and palm tree-lined scenery, will make you feel as if you are in a resort overseas. It is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Kansai region.

Shirahama Town is home to Wakayama Prefecture's only airport, Nanki Shirahama Airport, which is about an hour from Haneda Airport, making it easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area and another reason for its popularity. In addition, the area is packed with amusements and activities. The appeal of being able to enjoy both abundant nature and entertainment in one area attracts many people. First, let's introduce some spots where you can fully enjoy your "vacation time."

Now is the time to go! Be comforted by baby pandas at "Adventure World"

When you think of theme parks in Nanki Shirahama, you think of Adventure World, a facility that combines a zoo, an aquarium, and an amusement park, where about 1,400 animals live.

A recent big topic is the rush of animal births. Particularly popular are the giant panda Fuhin, born in November 2020, and the baby spotted seal, born in March 2021. Pandas are popular animals at the facility, but being able to see a baby is quite rare. It's a one-off experience not to be missed.

* Viewing is by advance lottery via the Internet (as of April 21, 2021).

If you want to relax and take your time looking at the animals, we recommend taking a train-type car called the "Kenya" to tour Safari World. The ride takes 25 minutes and is free, which is a nice plus. You can see a variety of animals, including lions, white tigers, giraffes, and elephants, and the entire facility gives you an extraordinary feeling.

There are many ways to enjoy yourself, including a variety of rides, attractions, marine live performances, and parades. You'll also feel relaxed when you see the lively baby animals. We recommend visiting to take a break from work or stretch your legs.

Adventure World

From breakfast to cafe and dinner. Introducing recommended local gourmet food

Whether you're traveling or on a business trip, one of the things to look forward to is the local cuisine. Nanki Shirahama is close to the sea and is blessed with nature and a great climate, so it's no surprise that there are plenty of delicacies from the mountains and the sea, as well as fine sake and sweets. Here we will introduce some recommended gourmet spots for different occasions.

Start your day off right with a meal of seafood at Toretore Market

Toretore Market is said to be the largest seafood market in western Japan. Not only live local fish, but seafood from all over Japan and Wakayama specialties are lined up in different sections.

At Toretore Yokocho, located in one corner, you can enjoy seafood-focused meals, and it is open from 8:30 a.m., making it the perfect place for breakfast. You're sure to feel like you're enjoying a luxurious morning with the popular seafood bowl and other seafood that will make you feel like you're having a feast.

Toretore Market

Take a break and enjoy fresh kagerou from "Kagerou Café," a place you can only find here.

Kagerou Café is characterized by its terrace seating at the back of the store with a view of the ocean. Its open atmosphere creates a resort feel that is typical of Nanki Shirahama.

If you're visiting for lunch, try cafe meals such as pork fillet cutlet sandwiches and bolognese. The restaurant is also attached to the main store of Fukubishi, a long-established Japanese confectionery store known for its local specialty, Kagero, and you can enjoy fresh Kagero, which is only available at the main store, at the cafe. The store is equipped with free Wi-Fi, so it's a great place to take a break from work or for a change of pace.

Kagerou Café

Toast with freshly brewed craft beer and pizza at "Barry" for dinner
*"Barley" closed in November 2022

"BARLEY" is a beer dining establishment located along the road that connects the famous spots "Senjojiki" and "Sandanbeki" in Nanki Shirahama. The name of the restaurant means "barley" in English, and barley is synonymous with beer. Yes, this is a directly managed store of the local craft beer "Nagisa Beer," where you can enjoy a glass of beer freshly brewed at the factory.

All of the dishes are masterpieces that show off the chef's dedication and skill, from the ingredients to the cooking. The specialty is pizza made with local ingredients, and there is a wide variety available, including the American "Country Pizza," the Neapolitan-style "Margherita" and "Quattro Formaggi & Honey Pizza," as well as the local "Locally Grown Whitebait with Basil Sauce Pizza." They also go great with beer, so you can enjoy a blissful food pairing at the end of the day.

BARLEY (Closing in November 2022)

Unique to Nanki Shirahama. Activities to enjoy nature

If you want to refresh yourself after a hard day at work, why not soak up the great outdoors of Nanki Shirahama with your whole body? Get up early and try some morning yoga, or head out to the sacred Kumano Kodo trail on your day off. We will introduce you to some activities that are unique to this area.

Relax your mind and body with morning yoga while listening to the sounds of the waves

Morning yoga at Shirarahama Beach is a special experience, listening to the sound of the waves on a beautiful beach made of quartz sand. It is a program that even beginners can participate in without difficulty, and yoga mats are provided, so you can enjoy it casually.

The participation fee is 1,000 yen (tax included) per person, and the time is one hour from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. It is held twice a month on Sundays, so check the schedule on their website.

Beach yoga experience at Shirahama Beach

Forest bathing at the power spot of Kumano Kodo

Kumano Kodo is one of Japan's most powerful spots, and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can get there from Nanki Shirahama on a day trip by train or bus. If it's your first time, we recommend the course that starts from Hosshinmon-oji, the entrance to the sacred grounds of Kumano Hongu Taisha, and heads towards Kumano Hongu Taisha. The ascents and descents are both gentle, so you can enjoy a refreshing walk while bathing in the forest.

To get there, take the Ryujin bus from Shirahama Station via Kii-Tanabe Station to the Hosshinmon-oji bus stop. It's about 6.9 km from Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha, and it takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes on foot. There is also a refreshing walk guided by a local storyteller, and it is the most popular course on the Kumano Kodo. Kumano Hongu is also attractive for its hot springs. Be sure to enjoy the hot springs in the mountain village.

Kumano Hongu Tourism Association

A fulfilling work environment that allows for comfortable workcation

From here, let's take a look at the "work environment" of Nanki Shirahama. Nanki Shirahama has always been a popular spot for travel workers. This is because the local government has been promoting workcation ahead of the rest of the country since 2017, before the COVID-19 pandemic, and has put in place a system that makes it easy to work. There are more than 1,500 Wi-Fi spots throughout Wakayama Prefecture, ranking second in the country in Wi-Fi spot density (※), and Shirahama Town has developed "NerveNet," a network that will not be interrupted even in the event of a disaster, providing a communication environment that allows you to work without stress.

There are also many co-working spaces where you can easily drop in, so you won't have any trouble when you want to get some work done somewhere other than the hotel for a change of pace. Thanks to the early efforts of the local government, the entire town has become a comfortable workation environment.

*2018 Wi-Fi-rich Prefecture Ranking: Town WiFi Press Release

Work and vacation in comfort. Make your workcation debut at Nanki Shirahama Marriott Hotel

When it comes to workcation, it's important to choose a place that offers a good working environment and vacation time, but the same goes for choosing a hotel. Since it's a base for work and vacation, it needs to be in a good location, and it needs to have comfortable facilities and pleasant services. That's why we recommend the "JAL x Marriott Workcation Debut Plan" at the Nanki Shirahama Marriott Hotel.

Guests can use the exclusive workspace

The first notable thing about this plan is that you can access the Lounge (Cozy Works NANKI-SHIRAHAMA), a workspace on the first floor that is exclusive to guests. It has high ceilings and an open space, and is also equipped with a high-performance air purifier called the Pure Machine, which can capture 99.99% of particles 0.007μm in size. Of course, you can use the free Wi-Fi in the building, making it a clean and smart working environment.

A hot spring where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean

The hot springs of Nanki Shirahama are said to be one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan, and are so historic that they even appeared in the "Nihon Shoki." You can enjoy the hot springs of Nanki Shirahama in the baths of the Nanki Shirahama Marriott Hotel, and you can spend a luxurious time looking out at the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean in the open-air bath in the large hot spring bath on the top floor of the hotel and in the premium rooms with hot spring view baths.

A meal menu is available for long-term workcations

The hotel restaurant is attractive for its delicious cuisine that incorporates plenty of Wakayama ingredients, which can be enjoyed along with a spectacular view of the ocean. This plan has newly developed menus that are also suitable for long-term stays and workation. There are several healthy menus with a wellness theme, and they are more reasonably priced than regular hotel menus. Even if you stay for multiple nights, you will never tire of the delicious food at a great price. Enjoy the mealtime that you can only get at a resort, while gazing at the horizon of the ocean outside the window.

Choose from two types of benefits to suit your stay

Another point about this plan is that it comes with two types of perks to choose from. The first is an admission ticket to the previously mentioned "Adventure World." It is easily accessible from the hotel, about a 10-minute drive away.

The other benefit is free lounge service at the Lounge (Cozy Works NANKI-SHIRAHAMA) on the first floor. This applies under the same conditions as for elite members of Marriott Bonvoy™, the global travel program of Marriott International, and you can work while freely enjoying drinks and snacks.

The former is for people who want to have a great time and refresh their mind, while the latter is for people who want to make the most of their work at the hotel. Both can enjoy their hotel stay to their heart's content.

Easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area, blessed with a warm climate and nature overlooking the sea, and packed with power spots and theme parks. Nanki Shirahama has the appeal of a vacation, but also has systems and facilities to help you get work done. Hotels offer special plans, making it the perfect spot for workation. With the coming warmer season, if you're looking to try workation, be sure to head to Nanki Shirahama.

JAL Dynamic Package "JAL x Marriott Workcation Debut Plan"

JAL x Marriott Workcation Debut Plan

About 75 minutes by plane from Tokyo. Nanki Shirahama Marriott Hotel is an ocean view hotel located in Nanki Shirahama, an area with a tropical resort feel, yet easily accessible. There are a variety of rooms available, including those with oceanfront views and those with views of Shirahama Onsen, one of Japan's three oldest hot springs.

www.shirahama-marriott.com

Click here to apply for JAL Pack Workcation

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*Some content was updated on December 13, 2024.