Shirarahama - The Guide to the Ultimate Japan Beach Experience

There are certainly no shortages of coastal gems in Japan; one of them being the beautiful Shirarahama Beach (白良浜). This scenic beach located at the town of Shirahama (白浜) in Wakayama Prefecture (和歌山県) is renowned for its pristine white sand and is acclaimed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Kansai region (関西). Let’s dwell into the beauty of Shirarahama Beach in this article.

Table of Contents

Background

Shirarahama Beach did not start off as a resort; but rather as a mining site for sand which was used to manufacture glass during the Meiji (明治) and Taisho (大正) era. However due to changes in manufacturing methods and for preservation of the landscape, mining operations were then discontinued.

Later on, development plans were commenced to transform Shirahama (白浜) into a resort area. However the government realised that the beach became thinner at that time and they had to improvise to restore the beach. The original plan was to extract sand from the sea bed but the sand had already turned black.

Instead, they undertook a unique approach to import a whooping amount of 74,500m3 of white sand from Perth, Western Australia in 2005 (as Perth is famous for its sheer amount of white sand beaches). To prevent the sand from flowing out, the government even constructed an underwater embankment with stones and blocks as a countermeasure.

Today, Shirarahama Beach is one of the most popular swimming beaches among local beachgoers; especially during summer when firework shows are conducted as well. And it is also the official ‘Sister Beach’ to Waikiki Beach of Hawaii.

Shirarahama Beach - Travel Guide

Shirarahama Beach is THE main attraction of Shirahama and its hard to miss it when you are visiting the town. In fact, Shirahama is a two hour drive from Osaka (2hr 36 minutes by train), making it an ideal destination to check out for those staying in Osaka. Here are some points to look out for this wonderful beach:

The Beach Itself

The main charm to look out for Shirarahama Beach is none other than its pristine and smooth white sand. The sand alone is enough to propel the beach into the top 10 favourite among beachgoers in Japan.

In fact, the smooth texture makes it easy to walk around the beach and its no surprise to see many locals playing around the beach even though it was autumn when we visited here. Even my wife being an ocean lover doesn’t mind sunbathing here for the entire day.

Did I forget to mention Shirarahama Beach also features one of the TOP 100 sunset views in Japan? My wife and I were lucky to arrive at the beach just in time to catch the sunset; and were SO glad we didn’t miss it. Watching the sunset setting at the horizon is like a glowing gem exiting the day; with its vibrant colour gracing the ocean and the surrounding.

Nearby Shirarahama Beach

Being a resort town, there are certainly no shortages of resorts and hotels, with some old and budget Minshuku (民宿) or guesthouses. A lot of them are located within walking distance to the beach and one can observe the unique mix of old accommodations together with the newer and towering hotel buildings.

There is also a stone pathway at the side of the beach where we managed to catch some breathtaking landscape view of the beach. For a photography tip, snap a shot of the beach together with the pine trees for a captivating Japanesque shot.

Around Shirarahama Beach are also these small foot baths where one can rest and dip their feet into the hot spring to relax the muscles. It’s a nice touch from the local council to setup these little foot baths around the beach and you can simply dip your leg whenever you need a rest.

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When to Visit Shirarahama Beach

The most popular time to visit Shirarahama Beach is during summer from July to August; which is considered the official beach season of Japan. If you are looking for a swim or to sunbathe, this is THE time to do so together with other local beachgoers. Just be warned that summer in Japan is excruciatingly hot and humid.

Summer is also the only time where you can catch the spectacular fireworks show at the beach. Note that the dates for the fireworks vary each year; hence, it is best to double check the official website prior to your visit (check here for 2024’s dates as reference).

Alternatively for a less crowded and relaxing experience; consider visiting between October and November during autumn. The weather at this time is cooler and there are still sunny days where you can catch the beautiful sunset scenery.

During autumn, light shows will be conducted throughout the beach area; featuring a vibrant display of colourful lights that are accompanied by lively music. Part of what makes light shows in Japan great is how well the organisers can coordinate various colours in the show without overwhelming your senses. What’s even more impressive is how they sync the light effects to match perfectly with the rhythm of the music. (Check out the main website link here for the actual dates prior to your visit)

Check Out These Destinations Nearby Shirarahama Beach

Apart from Shirarahama Beach, the town of Shirahama also offers other spots to enjoy the stunning ocean view:

Sandanbeki Cave (三段壁) – An impressive 3-tiered cave that once served as a hideout for a Kumano Navy ship.
Senjojiki Rock Plateau (千畳敷) – A vast rock plateau offering sweeping ocean views that resembles tatami mats (畳) stacking over each other.
Engetsu Island (円月島) – A nearby uninhabited islet known for its full moon-shaped circle in its center that offers a symbolic and unique sunset view.

Getting Here

By Train to Shirahama

Shirarahama Beach can be accessed by train from Osaka (大阪); where you will need to catch the limited express train Kuroshio (くろしお) from Shin-Osaka station (新大阪駅). This limited express train serves to transport passengers across the cities in Wakayama Prefecture up until the town of Shingu (新宮).

To get to Shirarahama Beach, simply disembark at Shirahama Station (白浜駅). The entire journey from Shin-Osaka takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. If you have either the Japan Rail Pass or the Kansai Wide Area Pass, then the Kuroshio ride will be covered by those passes.

From Shirahama Station (白浜駅), take bus no 12 of the Shirahama Tanabe Line (白浜田辺線) for 15 minutes and disembark at Shirahama (白浜).

By Car to Shirahama

Another option for those who prefer to drive and enjoy the scenery along the way is renting a car. This is the method my wife and I used to explore the coastal area of Wakayama prefecture as well as towns and cities such as Wakayama (和歌山), Shirahama (白浜) and also Nachi-Katsuura (那智勝浦).

RENTING a car allows us to to enjoy the mesmerising ocean view of the coastal road; an experience certainly not to be missed especially if you are driving around Wakayama Prefecture. Keen in renting a car for your next Japan road trip? Check out Tocoo for more info here.

Where to Stay Nearby

For those who are on budget; Guesthouse Shirahama & Dormitory Sandanya Guesthouse are great options for their comfortable rooms and friendly owners.
For mid-range options; consider Hotel Shirahamakan & Shiraraso Grand Hotel that offers indoor and outdoor onsen facilities for the guests.
For those who are willing to splurge, both Musashi & XYZ Private Spa and Seaside Resort offer luxurious spacious rooms with breathtaking views along with onsen facilities for their guests.

Stay Connected with Portable Wifi

While there are several spots in Japan that do offer Wifi, it can be difficult to access the internet in many areas; especially in a town like Shirahama that is located in the countryside. For our road trip in Japan, my wife and I used Ninja Wifi and we had an easy time travelling to even the smallest towns and secluded mountains while staying connected with our families.

Ninja Wifi offers eSIM and portable Wifi services that provided us with a stable internet connection during our road trip in Japan. In particular, the portable Wifi allows several devices to connect simultaneously and all we need to do was to scan the QR code and we easily got connected in just a minute. Book your Wifi services here with 10% discount for your next Japan trip!

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Shirarahama – The Guide to the Ultimate Japan Beach Experience

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