As a California native coming to Japan for the first time, I had great expectations of the beaches of Japan. I imagined rolling mountains crashing directly into the sea with a foggy mist obscuring the landscape. This was the Japan of my imagination and to my delight, that experience was available to me south of Osaka in Wakayama Prefecture.
Shirahama Town
Shirahama Town (白浜町 Shirahama) is located on the south-western coast of Wakayama and is well known as for its hot springs and home to Adventure World, an animal-themed amusement park. Add an extra ‘ra’ sound to town’s name and you get Shirarahama Beach (白良浜 Shirarahama), also located in Wakayama Prefecture, and considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Kansai.
Of course, there will be beautiful sights, ocean breezes and fabulous food, but today I wish to recommend three uniquely Japanese aspects of the Shirahama Town experience:
1. Message fireworks (メッセージ花火)
Every night from late July to late August, Shirarahama beachgoers set up blankets on the sand and cozy up to family, friends and loved ones. The waters still and tranquil before a loudspeaker announcement echoes across the sandy bay.
The first message crackles over the speakers, a father expressing his pride to his daughter who had just passed her university entrance exam. Afterward, a single firework screeches across the sky exploding in a brilliant shower of lights.
A quintessentially Japanese act that celebrates the culture of gratitude prevalent here, Shirarahama beach offers message fireworks to the public. ￥6,000 will afford you a short message to be proudly and publicly proclaimed and punctuated with a small explosion of colour.
Shirarahama Beach (白良浜)
Address: Shirahama Town, Nishimuro District, Wakayama
Nearest station: Shirahama Station (白浜駅)
2. Footbaths (足湯)
Travellers are no strangers to the sight of public fountains of water for display, but some might find it peculiar when some of these fountains are filled with piping hot water and lined with cushions along the edge. A little-known amenity of Shirahama are the free footbaths (足湯 ashiyu) available due to the abundance of geothermal activity in the area.
These footbaths may be on the veranda of your hotel allowing for a fabulous view of the city while soaking your toes or tucked inside a wooden covered awning down an innocuous side street. Some of these outdoor footbaths even have little tables installed inside them for the most low-key, shoes-optional tea break ever. For the foot weary traveller, these are little oases of respite from a long day’s journey.
3. Toretore Fish Market (とれとれ市場 )
The culinary world of seafood can be a challenge. To those accepting the call of their appetites to the delicious morsels of the sea, Japanese fish markets can be a welcoming introduction. The Toretore Fish Market (とれとれ市場 Toretore-ichiba) in Wakayama is a wonderful example of one such place.
Here you can see a huge variety of fresh fish and shellfish sold for reasonable prices. Watch as skilled mongers cut and process the bounty of the sea and come with empty stomachs because these vendors are often quick to offer free samples.
With all of your fresh and prepared ingredients in tow, head to the front of the market where you can rent a grill under a covered picnic area and enjoy your seafood in the best way I know how; grilled simply over charcoal with salt and pepper. Beer optional but highly recommended.
Toretore Market (とれとれ市場)
Address: 2521 Katada, Shirahama Town, Nishimuro District, Wakayama
Nearest station: Shirahama Station (白浜駅)
Closing
What I love most about Shirahama is the lack of pretence. Establishments are understandably proud of their products and because of that, there is little need for them to embellish the things they have to offer. Echoing messages of gratitude and love being publicly expressed to the backdrop of a night sky with flowers of fire in the air; toes soaking in water warmed by the earth; and wonderfully fresh seafood cooked by your own hands, enjoyed outdoors, deeply scented by the aroma of charcoal smoke. The Shirahama experience is one of simple, good things.
Header image credit: Pexels
