Best around Kumano Kodo, Shingu, Shirahama Spot List

Situated in Tanabe, 40 km from Kumanokodo Nakahechi Museum of Art and 41 km from Kozan-ji Temple, Ryunohara Hatago features spacious air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site at this recently renovated property. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen, free shuttle service and luggage storage for guests. The kitchen features an oven, a toaster and a fridge and there is a private bathroom with a hair dryer and free toiletries. The property has an outdoor dining area. Breakfast is available each morning, and includes continental, Asian and vegetarian options. Guests can grab a bite to eat in the in-house family-friendly restaurant, which specialises in Japanese cuisine and also offers vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options. Sightseeing tours are available within a reachable distance. A car rental service is available at the country house. Tokei Shrine is 42 km from Ryunohara Hatago, while Kamitonda Concert Hall is 43 km from the property. The nearest airport is Nanki–Shirahama Airport, 51 km from the accommodation.

The perfect cafe to take a break in

Pets are welcome. Wanko Gozen and dog runs are popular

Located just one meter away from the sea, this is a public open-air bath that Shirahama Onsen is famous for. According to the ancient history books, such as the Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan) and the Manyoshu (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves), Prince Arima visited this place about 1,350 years ago.

This is a specialty restaurant serving meharizushi (rice balls wrapped in pickled takana (leaf mustard greens)), which is a local specialty that passes down a simple traditional taste to the modern day. This restaurant’s meharizushi is characterized by the rice containing chopped stalks of takana, which is marinated in the special secret sauce. The rice is then wrapped in a large takana leaf. Popular menu items include a pack of four meharizushi (560 JPY) and a sample set containing meharizushi, kushikatsu (deep-fried skewer of meat) and tonjiru (miso soup with pork and vegetables) (1,300 JPY). The meharizuke-making set (1,890 JPY), where you can make your own meharizushi, is an ideal souvenir.

This open-air bath is right next to Shirahama Beach. Since you can wear a swimsuit while soaking in this pool-like bathtub, it's convenient to visit after a day at the beach. The hot water that springs from its own source is constantly replenished, ensuring the water is always fresh. During the non-summer seasons, it's used as a footbath instead.