Shirahama (白浜) is a well developed onsen (hot spring) resort 100 kilometers south of Osaka. Its popularity as an entertainment destination and its proximity to Osaka caused Shirahama to become one of Japan's three biggest onsen resorts, along with Beppu on Kyushu and Atami on the Izu Peninsula. The name Shirahama is Japanese for "white beach", and refers to the resort's other major attraction, a 500 meter long sand beach. Many large hotels are situated around the beach so that visitors will be just a few steps from the water. Nightly fireworks are held during summer.

Standing only a couple of kilometers apart, the craggy cliffs of Sandanbeki stand in stark saw-toothed contrast to the perfect white sands of Shirarahama Beach . An area of dramatic geology, the powerful Pacific Ocean waves come crashing into the cliff face spouting salty sea spray.

Avant-garde and romantic art installations sculpted by Mother Nature Along the Shirahama coastline, Mother Nature has used the roaring Pacific Ocean to create some rather avant-garde art installations, such as the spiky, jagged cliffs of Sandanbeki . However, she's a versatile artist, and her sensitive side has also sculpted a work of deep romance on the island of Engetsuto.

Stroll out to sea on the smooth stones of Senjojiki's "one thousand tatami mats" Over the millennia, waves of the Pacific Ocean have continually crashed into the Wakayama coastline, creating spectacular clusters of jagged rock formations. The surfaces, however, are completely smooth, allowing for an unusual coastal hike. Quick Facts The Senjojiki rock formations look like thousands of stacked tatami In May the area hosts a sand sculpture festival This bedrock beach was formed after an earthquake in 1792

The Kuroshio Market is a well-known fish market where you can eat and buy fresh Japanese fish. It is also a very popular spot among foreign tourists. Guests can enjoy watching a whole tuna preparation show( »which can also be seen here ),a rare sight in Japan. There are seafood barbecue restaurants as well as Japanese restaurants which serve fresh seafood. In addition, you can also buy fresh tuna and various seafood products to take away with you. Please do drop by the market while you are visiting the Kansai area.

White sand beach just outside Shimoda. Shirahama Beach (白浜) is an 800 meter long beach that is one of Izu's most famous and popular attractions. People come to enjoy the sand and sun, while the area is also known for relatively good surfing conditions. The beach is about five kilometers east of Izukyu-Shimoda Station, parallel to the main road. Shirahama Jinja, a pretty Shinto shrine, stands along the beach.