Shirahama, Wakayama
Shirahama (白浜町, Shirahama-chō) is a town located in Nishimuro District, Wakayama, Japan.
On March 1, 2006 the town of Hikigawa, from Nishimuro District, was merged into Shirahama.
As of January 31, 2012, the town has an estimated population of 23,325, with 11,149 households, and a population density of 116.02 persons per km². The total area is 201.04 km².
Shirahama is a resort town on the south coast of Wakayama Prefecture. Its beaches are white sand, imported from Australia. Shirahama is also known for its hot springs. During the summer (July and August), there are fireworks every night on the beach.
Shirahama is about two and a half hours from Osaka by JR West's Ocean Arrow train service. There are also daily flights from Nanki-Shirahama Airport to Tokyo's Tokyo International Airport (Haneda).
Geography
Located in southeastern Wakayama Prefecture, the town has a temperate climate. Many hot springs can be found here, most notably Nanki Shirahama Onsen and Tsubaki Onsen. Also, two paths that are located in the town are part of a World Heritage site. Shirahama is known to be one of the very few municipalities in Japan that do not have "azas", or towns and villages that previously existed within the boundaries of the present day Shirahama.
Places of note
- Kumano Kodo: an old road
- Three Step Cliff (三段壁): Cliffs along on the ocean edge that are 50 meters high. It is said that pirates (kumano suigun) used to inhabit the caverns; the remains of their dwellings can be seen.
- Senjō-jiki (千畳敷): A rocky point near Shirahama beach.
- The Minakata Kumagusu Museum houses much of scientist Minakata Kumagusu's books, specimens, and memorabilia.
- Engetsu-tō: A natural arch just off the coast
Sister cities
External links
Media related to Shirahama, Wakayama at Wikimedia Commons
- Wikitravel:Shirahama
- Official town website (in Japanese) (Translate to English: Google, Bing, Yandex)
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