Best around Kumano Kodo, Shingu, Shirahama Spot List

The remains of Kumano Taisha Shrine, the birthplace of the Kumano faith

Known as one of Japan’s top three beauty hot springs

The inspiration for Shirahama’s namesake

The source of worship to Nachi Falls

Formerly Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine, this shrine is located on the grounds where Kumano’s three deities descended

The beloved traditional tubs have long been a symbol of Yunomine

The first of 33 temples on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, Seiganto-ji is an ever-popular destination for worshipers

Soak in the hot springs while looking out through the pine forest at Shirahama Beach

The popular open-air bath looks out across the beach

Karaoke and a rock sauna at an open-air bath overlooking the ocean. Pets welcome

The head Kumano shrine where various Kumano deities are worshiped

Introduces Kumano’s world heritage sites

Handmade cuisine prepared by the proprietress. Reservations are required for the highly popular Kodo Bento lunch boxes

Hirou Shrine’s object of worship is famous for the large volume of water and for having the country’s highest drop off

Enjoy a sweeping view of the sea at Shirahama

Exquisite hamburg steak made from domestic boar

Enjoy a meal with brown rice in an traditional Japanese-style home

Located in the Nanki Katsuura hot-spring area, guests at Hotel Urashima can enjoy natural Bokido cave hot-spring baths. The hotel offers 4 other public hot-spring baths. The property offers free shuttle service by car or ferry for limited hours per day, both a 10-minute ride from JR Kii Katsuura Station. Free WiFi is available in the public areas. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. A TV, fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags are included in each. Rooms come with a private toilet but bathrooms are shared. An outdoor swimming pool is open during the summer and a coin launderette is provided for guests to use. Local gifts can be purchased at the souvenir shop and a karaoke room is available as well. A breakfast and dinner buffet are served at the hotel’s dining room. Urashima Hotel is a 15-minute walk from Katsuura Fishing Port and a 20-minute drive from Taiji Whale Museum.

A festival of fire unfolds at Nachi Falls

Boasting sea views, Kurhouse Shirahama provides accommodation with a spa and wellness centre, a fitness centre and an open-air bath, around 1.7 km from Saki-no-Yu Onsen Spa. Offering free private parking, the 2-star ryokan is 600 metres from Shirarahama Beach. The accommodation offers a sauna, hot spring bath, family-friendly restaurant and free WiFi. There is a private bathroom with hot tub in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop, and a minimarket is also available. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Kurhouse Shirahama also features an indoor pool and a hot tub for guests to relax in. A car rental service is available at the accommodation. Kishu Museum of Art is 1.9 km from Kurhouse Shirahama, while Heisogen Park is 2.4 km from the property. Nanki–Shirahama Airport is 2 km away.