Shirarahama Beach
白良浜
An arc of pure white sand about 620 m long, in the hot-spring town of Nanki-Shirahama. Sister beach to Waikiki, with fireworks and lights out of season.
Sand as white as its name
Shirarahama is a swimming beach in the town of Shirahama in southern Wakayama Prefecture. According to the town, the beach runs for about 620 m, and about 90% of its sand is quartz, which contains silicic acid. That is why, true to its name (shira means white), it is pure white, with fine, silky sand. Together with the emerald-green sea and the pines and palm trees dotted along the shore, it creates an almost tropical scene.
On 20 July 2000 it became a friendship sister beach of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. It has also been chosen as one of Japan's 100 best swimming beaches.
White sand that has been protected
According to a local newspaper, Shirarahama's white sand was once taken as a raw material for glass, until around the Taisho era. It used to be a beach of singing sand that squeaked underfoot, but as development spread around it during Japan's period of rapid economic growth, the sand washed away and dwindled. Since 1989 (Heisei 1), white sand has been brought in from Australia to top it up, and the beach has regained its old look.
Things to do all year round
Shirarahama is known as the first beach on Honshu to hold its umibiraki (the opening of the swimming season for the year). It opens during Golden Week (a run of holidays from late April to early May), and you can swim until mid-September. Lifeguards watch over the swimming season.
In summer there is a fireworks event with fireworks launched from under the water, and from Halloween into winter the beach is decorated with illuminations. Whatever the season, you can join a beach yoga session or watch the sun set into the horizon. For a limited period, Shirasuna, an open-air bath you can enter in your swimsuit, opens on the beach itself. There are also plenty of hot springs nearby that you can use as a day visitor.
Getting there
From Shirahama Station on the JR Kinokuni Line (Kisei Main Line), it is about 15 minutes by bus to the Shirarahama stop, right by the beach. By car or taxi it is also about 15 minutes from Shirahama Station, and about 15 minutes from Nanki-Shirahama IC on the Kisei Expressway.
The swimming season and event dates change from year to year, so check the official information from Shirahama Town or the Nanki-Shirahama Tourism Association.
Tips
- Shirarahama is a no-smoking beach, and littering is prohibited. It is also a city park, so other things are prohibited too. Read Shirahama Town's guidance before you go.
- Even outside the swimming season, walking barefoot on the white sand feels wonderful. Go in the late afternoon and you can watch the sunset from the beach.
- There is a children's park at the north end of the beach, which makes it good for families as well.
Sources
Updated 29 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.
