Shirahama - Sunset🌅Seafood🐟Beach🏖️

Shirahama 2-Day, 1-Night Flash Trip

Shirahama is located in southern Wakayama, just over two hours from Osaka by JR Kaishio. This time, I planned a two-day trip to escape the hustle and bustle of Osaka and enjoy the tranquility of a small Japanese town.

In the morning, I took the JR Kaishio train from Osaka Station, departing from Platform 21. However, Platform 21 is quite hidden, and I only found it after asking the staff at Osaka Station. If you're traveling from Osaka to Shirahama, you might want to allow some time to find the platform.

The train takes about an hour to reach Wakayama. After passing Wakayama, the train continues south along the coast. It arrives in Shirahama in about another hour. Upon exiting the train, the first thing you see is pandas—it turns out pandas are also a Shirahama specialty.

After exiting the train station, turn left. One-day or two-day Shirahama bus tickets are available. You can choose according to your itinerary. Using them is simple: just show them to the driver when you get off the bus.

Here are some of the attractions I visited during my two-day, one-night trip:

Sandanbeki: Take the bus to Sandanbeki Station and walk to Sandanbeki in about 5 minutes. There are small shops selling souvenirs and snacks along the way. Sandanbeki is a cliff nestled on the seashore, with sea caves at its base. For 1500 yen (a 100 yen discount with a bus ticket), you can take the elevator to the base of the cliff and walk around the sea caves. It takes about 10 minutes to explore.

Senjojiki: Located two bus stops from Sandanbeki, it's a downhill walk, but if you don't want to wait too long for the bus, you can walk along the road for about 15 minutes. Senjojiki is another seaside attraction. Its name comes from the layers of rock formations. There's a café there that's a great place to watch the sunset.

Shirahama Beach: With its fine white sand and jelly-colored sea, it's a popular vacation destination for Japanese people. Returning to Shirahama Beach that day, I was greeted by colorful clouds, and then watched the horizon slowly turn red. The contrast with the white sand and the azure sea was breathtaking.

ToreTore Seafood Market: This comprehensive market offers souvenirs, agricultural and marine products, and restaurants. The prices are reasonable, and the food is fresh. If you choose the right time, you can even see tuna being cut up.

📅 Itinerary

Day 1:
AM - Take the JR Kaisho from Osaka to Shirahama.
PM - Sandanbeki and Senjojiki.
EV - Sunset at Shirahama Beach.

Day 2:
AM: ToreTore Seafood Market.
PM: Shirahama back to Osaka.

🏨 Accommodation: Nanki Shirahama Marriott Hotel.
🍴 Food Recommendation: Shirahama Key Noodles (Dakishime Tai).

📌 Practical Tips:
1. Buses are infrequent, but most attractions are located within a 15-minute walk.
2. Restaurants in Shirahama usually close around 8 or 9 PM.
3. Plan your fares carefully; they might be cheaper than buying a one-day or two-day bus pass.
4. There are free foot baths scattered throughout Shirahama, but remember to bring your own towel.