February 2018 - The Wadas On Duty

Como estas? It’s Mr. Wada back on duty amigos. I would like to share places to go in Shirahama City, Wakayama this time.

Popular Places to Go in Shirahama City, Wakayama

Previously I’ve shown you nice places in Wakayama City. Drive down south for 1.5 hour and that’s another city called Shirahama (still within Wakayama Prefecture). It’s not big but more nature and places to check out.

Toretore Ichiba Market

Tore Tore Ichiba market is like a wet market for pros but it is for visitors. In fact there are food court and seats. There is even an onsen place in the same property. It’d be nice to soak into hot spring before or after having fresh seafood. There are different food stands like Kebab, BBQ, etc. as well. Go fill your stomach as you desire!

This is also the best place to purchase souvenir. Wakayama’s famous umeboshi (dried plum), umeshu (plum liquor) are all available.

I got marinated salmon & salmon egg bowl, Mrs. Wada got gorgeous sashimi bowl.

Toretore Ichiba Market
Access	2521 Katata, Shirahama cho, Nishimurogun, Wakayama
Business Hours	8:30 – 18:30 *It may vary during the holidays.
Contact	0739-42-1010
Website	https://toretore.com/ichiba/ (in Japanese)

Shirahama White Beach

As its name Shirahama (white beach), Shirahama Beach is a thing you can’t miss. It would be full of people in summer. It’s only winter that you can run around like this!

FYI, every New Year’s Eve, countdown fireworks can be seen right at the beach.

Shirarahama White Beach

Access

Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama

Sandanbeki Rock Cliff

A series of 50-meter-high cliffs (like Tojinbo in Fukui) would overwhelm visitors. There’s a cave down there as well.

Sandanbeki Rock Cliff

Access

2927-52 Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama

Website

http://sandanbeki.com/

Senjojiki Rock Formation

With the layers of the rock plates made by waves for centuries, it feels like we are in another planet! Spontaneous. Since it’s near the shore, it gets windy and slippery. Stay alert.

Senjojiki Rock Formation

Access

2927-72 Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama

Engetsuto Island

It’s Shirahama’s symbolic spot. Officially its name is Takashima Island but known as Engetsuto Island. Just a 5-minute drive from the central. Sunset views are very popular for tourists. There’s a ferry tour passing through the hole in the middle as well.

Viewing Point of Engetsuto Island
Access

Adventure World

Ueno Zoo in Tokyo is not the only place you can see pandas. This Adventure World is a three-in-one theme park (zoo, aquarium, and amusement park). It’s got restaurants and cafes as well. Pretty good for families, couples, anybody!

Adventure World
Access	2399 Katata, Shirahama cho, Nishimurogun, Wakayama
Business Hours	9:30 – 17:00 *It may vary.
Contact	0570-06-4481
Website	http://www.aws-s.com/en/

Shirahama Onsen

Outdoor Onsen (hot spring) is always one thing you should try while in Japan and there are several places in Shirahama as well. Amazing views with the white beach would be worth a visit!

Shirasuna	864 Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama Reference: www.town.shirahama.wakayama.jp/kanko/onsen/1454046592467.html (in JP)
Muro no Yu	1665 Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama
Saki no Yu	1668 Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama
Shirara Yu	3313-1 Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama

Reference : Wakayama City website

Lastly

How do you find it? Lots to see in such a small town huh? We would like to visit and explore deeper another time.

Anyway, hope it helps.

See you around!

Booking.com

Hi there. It’s Mr. Wada back on duty. I would like to show you around the world heritage Tsuboyu Onsen in Wakayama this time.

World Heritage Tsuboyu Onsen in Wakayama

Tsuboyu Onsen is located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. It takes about 1.5 hours from Shirahama City by car, 2.5 hour drive from Wakayama City.

Tsuboyu Onsen

Only one group is allowed to enter Tsuboyu at a time (up to 30 minutes). And take a note that there tends to be a line up. We, the Wadas, would have to wait for 2 hours to enter. So be sure you get enough time for it (unless you plan on staying over a night).

Here is a flow.

1. Purchase Ticket

Purchase a ticket at the machine and pass it to a reception next to it. He gives you a number tag and tells you how long it may take.

2. Wait for Your Turn

There is a seat near by Tsuboyu. When a group/person before your number is out, it’s your turn.

3. Enter Tsuboyu

Tsuboyu is in this little shack. Don’t forget to hang your number tag on the door to show that you are in. Also do not forget to return the tag at the reception when you are done.

Note:
If the person before you doesn’t show up, go ask the reception for assistance.

Alright, now we got 30 minutes. Check the clock and we are on the go!

It is said that Tsuboyu has 7 colors by chemical reaction (when sulfur in the hot spring and oxygen in the air are mixed). It really is hot. It’d burn my skin in a second. You should check the temperature before going in and adjust it with ice water (see the faucet in the middle?). It’ll be still hot but it may help a bit…

4. Enjoy Extra Onsen

For those who paid for Tsuboyu have access to the public Onsen or Kusuri no Yu as well. You know, only 30 minutes in Tuboyu wouldn’t be enough, right? We would like to cool down and relax at regular onsen. Pick one (tell the reception that you are going to enter one of the two).

Kominka Cafe

There’s a neat kominka cafe in the neighborhood. It would be perfect to wait for Tsuboyu with tea and some sweets.

This coffee is dripped with hot spring water. That’s really a cool idea, isn’t it?

Cook Eggs / Veggies by Hot Spring

Veggies and eggs are available at near-by stores and you can cook them in the hot spring water. For a good manner, do not bring your own food. Support local.

Taking out my stuff (not stealing). It takes only 10 minutes for eggs.

Tada! We call it onsen tamago (egg). Did you know that onsen tamago is actually available at Gyudon places etc? Well, generally speaking onsen tamago refers to half-boiled eggs.

OK, let’s call it a day!

Information

Tsuboyu
Access	110 Yunomine, Hongu, Tanabe city, Wakayama
Business Hours	6:00 – 21:30 (Tsuboyu) 6:00 – 22:00 (Public Bath)*Open everyday
Fee	Adult: 770 yen Child: 460 yen *Including entrance for public bath / Kusuri no Yu
Contact	0735-42-0074
Website	http://www.hongu.jp/en/onsen/yunomine/

Lastly

How do you find it? It’s a little hard to access but definitely worth a visit. Hope it helps.

See you around!

Booking.com