Shirarahama Beach, Wakayama
The best beach in the Kansai region
Shirarahama Beach in Wakayama is a white-sand tropical paradise in the heart of the Kansai region in Japan.
The 620-metre beach is the sister beach of Waikiki in Hawaii and is often quoted as the best beach in the Kansai region.
Shirarahama Beach officially starts the swimming season around 3 May on Honshu then other beaches follow.
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White sand from Australia
Shirarahama’s pristine white sand was shipped to Japan from Australia!
Each night during the summer, Shirarahama Beach lights up with fireworks displays. On 30 July and 10 August, the biggest fireworks shows of the season erupt with over 3,000 fireworks lighting up the sky.
The water is especially warm and relaxing from May until September (swimming season).
Although the water may still warm enough to swim in outside these months, it is not recommended as there aren’t any lifeguards on duty outside of the swimming season.
The beach is a part of a secluded bay so it’s quite protected with calm water and small waves, if any.
There is also plenty of interesting sea life in the ocean here. Bring a snorkel or buy one in the shops nearby to enjoy the array of fish, especially around the breakwall.
One of Japan’s Top 100 Sunset Views
This beach can boast that it is one of Japan’s best sunsets and it’s easy to see why. The stunning Wakayama sky, reflected in the shimmering ocean is a beautiful sight.
History of Shirarahama Beach, Wakayama
This beach was not always a popular tourist destination. During the Meiji and Taisho eras (1868 – 1926), the sand on this beach was mined to create glass. The high silica content in the white quartz sand made it perfect for glass-making.
As manufacturing methods changed, and the desire to preserve the landscape became more important, mining ceased.
To bring buzz back to the area, Wakayama Prefecture decided to promote this area as a summer tourist destination.
In 2005, Japan shipped 74,500m3 of sand from Perth in Australia and built an enclosed embankment to keep the sand in.
Where is Shirarahama Beach
The stunning Shirarahama Beach is located in the town of Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture.
By plane, Shirarahama Beach is easily accessible from anywhere in Japan. Nanki-Shirahama Airport is only 6 minutes drive to Shirarahama Beach.
By train from Osaka, you can reach Shirarahama Beach in 2 hours and 36 minutes. Take the Kuroshio Express (Panda Train) for the cutest panda train experience.
By train from Wakayama City, you can reach the beach in around 2 hours.
By car from Osaka, Shirarahama Beach is around 2 hours 15 mins.
By car from Wakayama City, Shirarahama Beach is around 1 hour 19 mins.
Where to stay in Shirarahama Beach
The town of Shirahama has many hotels. However, if you want to stay directly on the beach, these are great options:
- The Nanki Shirahama Mariott Hotel is located 3 minute’s walk to Shirarahama beach. The hotel features an outdoor pool, rooftop onsen and a plentiful buffet breakfast. For families, the hotel offers Japanese-style rooms and a mix of Western and tatami rooms that can accommodate up to 5 people.
- The Shiraraso Grand Hotel is located directly on Shirarahama Beach’s northern side. The hotel offers a mix of Western and Japanese-style rooms. It has an outdoor pool, onsen and is well known for its sumptuous seafood meals.
- Hotel Sanrakuso is located on the main part of the beach. It features ocean-front rooms, some with private balcony baths, a karaoke room and a free shuttle bus between the station and the hotel.
What else to do at Shirarahama Beach
Adventure World
The town of Shirahama is famous for its Adventure World Amusement park. This park was particularly famous for its four giant pandas. However, these were returned to China in June 2025.
The park still offers many attractions and facilities however such as a large aquarium, rollercoaster, ferris wheel, go-karts and many more facilities.
Tore Tore Ichiba market
The Tore Tore Ichiba is a busy seafood and local goods market with tuna show and delicious restaurants.
This is a great place to pick up some souvenirs and gifts for friends and family. Consider Wakayama’s famous ume boshi (salted plums) or locally brewed beer Nagisa.
This place does get very busy, especially on weekends, so it’s best to eat before the lunch rush. Enjoy the freshest seafood bowls at the cosy indoor eatery, or enjoy an outdoor barbecue with your favourite seafood.
For kids who have had their fill of seafood, there are pizzas and long fries on offer!
Hours: 8:30am – 6:30pm (meal orders conclude at 5:30pm)
Address: 2521 Katata, Shirahamacho, Nishimurogun, Wakayama
Access: By Bus – approx. 10 min by the Shirahama Loop Line bus from Shirahama Station on the JR Kisei Line.
By car – approx. 7 mins from Shirarahama Beach, there is plenty of outdoor parking.
Engetsu Island
Engetsu Island (Island of the full moon) is an uninhabited rock formation with a circular hole in the middle, perfect for capturing the sunset.
The island is made mostly of sandstone and sand. It is approximately 130 metres from north to south and around 35 metres from east to west. Its highest point is around 25 metres.
The island has three impressive titles: ‘Scenic landscape of Japan’, ‘One of Japan’s Top 100 Sunsets‘ and ‘One of the 100 best places for the sunrise and sunset in Wakayama Prefecture’.
See it before it disappears
The island has been eroding due to increasingly violent wind and waves. Since 2009, the Shirahama local government has prohibited visiting the island due to the risk of the arch collapsing.
How to visit Engetsu Island
The island can be viewed from the mainland of Shirahama, Wakayama.
However, if you want a closer view, you can visit by glass bottom boat. The tour lasts around 25 minutes and costs 1,600 yen for adults and 800 yen for children.
Try water sports
The calm waters around Shirahama are a great place to experience SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), snorkelling, scuba diving or kayaking.
We tried SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) with Lahaina Shirahama and we had such a wonderful family experience. The guide took us to an island where we jumped into a deep rock pool, tried some fresh shellfish and even explored an old World War II cave.
The guide spoke English, was quite funny and very kind. He also took many photos of us as a family and then airdropped them at the end for a perfect memento.
Details for SUP tours with Lahaina:
Hours: 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm (they also offer sunset plans)
Address: 〒649-2211, Wakayama Prefecture Nishimuro District Shirahama-cho Rinkai 441-1
Cost: For the 120 min course with island and cave exploration (like we did), it’s 9,900 yen per person. However they have shorter and less expensive courses also.
How to book: Book online here
Where to eat in Shirahama, Wakayama
If you are craving some tropical, Hawaiian eats, stop by a cosy, upstairs eatery (next to the Kotobuki hotel) for some delicious loco moco or a rainbow malasada donut.
This quaint cafe has a great view over the ocean and a chilled island vibe. Their specialty is their light and fluffy rainbow Malasada donut.
Fukubishi Kagerou Cafe
Fukubishi is a famous confectionary from Wakayama that began in 1933. The motto of the brand is ‘Confections put a smile on people’s faces’.
Their famous kagerou confectionary consists of two thin cakes that act as a sandwich for the soft buttercream filling.
At the Fukubishi store in Shirahama, you can purchase the famous sweets as souvenirs and you can also enjoy their waterfront cafe, the Fukubishi Kagerou Cafe.
The cafe has a picture-perfect view of the marina. Arrive early to secure seats directly facing the water. Enjoy delicious sandwiches or skip straight to dessert to indulge in the famous Kagerou with many cream flavour fillings to choose from.
Hours: 8am – 6pm every day
Address: 1279-3, Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama 649-2211
Cost: Cutlet sandwich – 1,200 yen; Kagerou 3 flavour set – 1,200 yen
Reservations: Unable to make reservations, so arrive early for lunch to avoid a queue
Hale’aina Honu Okonomiyaki
This Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki restaurant in Shirahama is oishii (delicious)!
The chef from Hiroshima is kind and welcoming and the food is fresh and filling. Try their Engetsuyaki speciality for a special dish with fresh vegetables, white bait, pork belly and more.
This restaurant takes reservations but also offers a walk in service.
Hours: 11am – 2pm, then 5pm – 9pm every day except Tuesdays where they only open for lunch.
Address: 2547-9, Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama 649-2211
Cost: Okonomiyaki starts at 1,000 yen and goes up to 1,600 yen for their Engetsuyaki specialty okonomiyaki with white bait, pork belly, squid tempura and more.
Reservations: Call 0739332114 or walk-in is also possible
Round up of Shirarahama Beach, Wakayama
This stunning beach, Shirarahama in Wakayama is known as the best beach in the Kansai region.
The stunning white sand, turquoise water and abundant sea life make this beach a tropical paradise in Japan.
Shirarahama’s location in Wakayama, just two hours south of Osaka, means you can experience a beautiful summer beach experience in Japan without the need to fly all the way to Okinawa.
While in the area, try some water sports, some delicious local food and visit some of Wakayama’s spectacular sights.
