Shirahama White Beach Resort — Onsen & Panda Paradise

Shirahama (白浜, 'white beach') is Wakayama's premier beach resort town, famous for its 600-meter crescent of white quartz sand beach (Shirarahama Beach), coastal onsen hot springs, and Adventure World — a safari park housing the world's largest breeding population of giant pandas outside China. The town combines tropical beach vibes with traditional Japanese hot spring culture, making it a rare hybrid destination.

Shirarahama Beach features imported white sand (the natural sand was grayed by pollution and replaced with Australian quartz in the 1960s) and turquoise waters ideal for swimming (July-August). The surrounding coastline is dotted with dramatic sea cliffs and rock formations, including Senjojiki (千畳敷, 'thousand tatami mats') — a wave-cut limestone platform resembling stacked tatami mats, and Sandanbeki Cliff — a 50-meter vertical sea cliff with a cave accessible by elevator. Shirahama's onsen district offers seaside rotenburo (outdoor baths) where bathers soak while watching sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Adventure World combines zoo, aquarium, and safari park — highlights include panda breeding center (8 pandas, including cubs), African safari bus tour (giraffes, lions), and marine mammal shows. The town is family-oriented but also appeals to couples seeking romantic sunset onsen experiences.