Shirahama, Coastal onsen resort town in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Shirahama is a seaside town in Wakayama Prefecture along the Pacific coast with a white sand beach and abundant hot springs. The settlement lines the shore with hotels, traditional bath houses, and geothermal waters that feed throughout the area.
The thermal springs appeared in ancient Japanese texts and rank among the country's oldest bathing destinations. The region has drawn seekers of healing waters for centuries.
Six public bath houses dot the town, where visitors engage in the Japanese bathing ritual. The ancient Sakinoyu facility sits right by the shore and draws people daily.
Getting there is straightforward: limited express trains connect hourly to Osaka, and Nanki-Shirahama Airport runs regular flights to Tokyo. The area is simple to explore using public transport.
The Sandanbeki area features sheer rock cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea. An elevator allows visitors to descend and explore the caves nestled within them.
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