WAKAYAMA Shirahama & Around Seaside resort with pristine beaches, activities for the entire family and easy access to the Kumano Kodo trails

Jutting out into the Pacific, Shirahama is a town in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula with white sand beaches and relaxing resorts.

From Tokyo: Flights from Haneda Airport to Nanki-Shirahama Airport take around one hour. From there a 20-minute bus ride takes you to Shirahama Station.

From Osaka: The express train from Shin-Osaka to Shirahama Station takes two and a half hours.

With around 640 meters of white sand curving around a bay of sparkling water, Shirarahama Beach is the jewel in the crown of Japan's coastal resorts. The Sand Festival held each year sees participants gather to view art created with sand. Fireworks displays on the white sandy beach brightens up the night sky each summer.

One of the oldest hot spring resorts in the country, the hot bubbling waters of Shirahama Onsen have been relaxing bodies and minds for over 1,350 years. In contrast to its mountain-based onsen cousins, Shirahama's proximity to the seashore offers bathing with a sea view. Nearby, explore the caves of Sandanbeki , where the Kumano navy is said to have once hidden their ships, before enjoying naturally framed sunsets on the coast looking out towards Engetsu Island or wandering the vast rock flatbed of Senjojiki .

Adventure World offers an abundance of attractions, with a safari park, zoo, aquarium and amusement park combined. The whole family can safari among lions and giraffes, watch dolphins at play, and then head straight for the thrill of roller coasters and Ferris wheel.

Just a scenic 30-minute bus ride up the coast from Shirahama, Tanabe is Wakayama ’s second largest city – and the gateway to the sacred Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route . From here, travelers can embark on the coastal Ohechi route, leading south toward the majestic Kumano Nachi Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrines. Those craving mountain paths and forest serenity can follow the Nakahechi Route, which winds deep into the mountains toward the spiritual heart of Hongu Taisha .

Sitting at the southernmost point of the peninsula, the warm current that flows into the waters of Kushimoto makes for bountiful fishing. Colonies of table coral play host to dazzling tropical fish, darting in and out of their jagged, colorful fronds. Scuba diving is popular here, along with glass-bottomed boat tours for sub-aqua viewing.