Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
May 15, 2026
Welcome to Wakayama! Southern Wakayama boasts many of its representative tourist spots, including Shirahama Beach, Senjojiki Rock Formation, and Toretore Market. It's an attractive travel destination where you can enjoy nature, gourmet food, and a variety of experiences. In this article, we'll focus on Wakayama's Nanki Shirahama, and provide detailed information on the gourmet food, DIY and crafting experiences you should definitely try, as well as luxurious accommodations you can enjoy in Wakayama.
table of contents
In Nanki Shirahama, Wakayama, you can enjoy the iconic Shirahama Beach. Shirahama is a white sand beach approximately 620 meters long that curves westward, and it is the origin of the town's name, "Shirahama-cho." At the southern end of the beach, there is an open-air bath where you can use it while wearing your swimsuit, and in winter it is used as a footbath. Seaside illuminations such as Sea Side Illumination are also held. Every year from July to August, the Nanki Shirahama Fireworks Festival is held, and it is also known as a spot where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets at dusk.
Wakayama Prefecture boasts numerous tourist attractions where you can experience rich natural scenery and history. Among them, the most famous is the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. This ancient pilgrimage route has been walked by people for centuries and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting many tourists from both Japan and abroad. In addition to this World Heritage Site, Wakayama has many places where you can deeply experience the region's history and culture, allowing you to enjoy a unique cultural experience that is only Wakayama can offer.
With its white sandy beaches, blue sea, and rows of palm trees, Shirahama Beach offers a tropical resort atmosphere. Various events are held at Shirahama Beach, including fireworks displays, beach yoga, and triathlons. While relatively quiet during the off-season, it becomes bustling with tourists in the summer, offering opportunities for diving, marine sports, and surfing.
Details:https://www.nankishirahama.jp/spot/527/
Senjojiki is a scenic spot where soft sandstone formed during the Neogene period has been eroded by waves over many years, creating a stepped rock formation that looks as if you could lay out a thousand tatami mats. At sunset, you can enjoy a magnificent view that seems to stretch to the ends of the earth. On your way back, we recommend purchasing souvenirs from Nanki Shirahama at "Kaisenya Senjo".
Details:https://www.nankishirahama.jp/spot/531/
※This image is for illustrative purposes only.
This is one of the largest seafood markets in Western Japan! You can enjoy fresh seafood gathered from all over Japan, as well as purchase local specialties and souvenirs unique to Wakayama. There are also occasional tuna cutting shows, and the food court offers reasonably priced sashimi, sushi, and seafood bowls. Furthermore, there is a BBQ experience where you can grill the ingredients you purchased yourself.
Details:https://toretore.com/ichiba/
※This image is for illustrative purposes only.
This is a lodging and dining facility located in Nanki Shirahama, Wakayama, specializing in natural grouper dishes. Focusing on natural grouper, guests can enjoy a variety of grouper dishes, including sashimi, grilled dishes, and hot pot, in a private space with a Japanese aesthetic. They can also savor luxurious seafood dishes, such as sashimi made with fresh spiny lobster and abalone.
Details:https://fusya.jp/
This is a creative cuisine restaurant located near Senjojiki. Its concept is to offer local ingredients prepared with slightly unconventional cooking methods, including rice grown in the Nanki Shirahama area and various kinds of dumplings. Its location is also a major draw, offering stunning views of Senjojiki and the sea. The restaurant also features a corner selling Wakayama's local specialties.
Details:https://www.senjou-mar.jp/
※This image is for illustrative purposes only.
This is a long-established sushi restaurant that has been a beloved part of Wakayama for many years. You can enjoy fresh seafood caught in nearby waters, and at the counter seats, you can watch the sushi chefs prepare the sushi right in front of you. They also offer rare local ingredients such as wild grouper, bonito, spiny lobster, and conger eel. Be sure to try the sushi made with fresh seafood caught in the waters off Wakayama.
Details:https://www.fukujuu.com/
※This image is for illustrative purposes only.
Diving in the beautiful waters of Nanki Shirahama is an activity you definitely want to experience. From beginners to experienced divers, you can enjoy the seas of Wakayama with the support of an instructor. Underwater, you can observe a variety of fish such as gobies and sardines, making it a memorable marine experience during your trip to Wakayama.
Details:https://el-mar.jp/
※This image is for illustrative purposes only.
The store features original products inspired by the sea of Wakayama.
In addition to offering a wide range of items such as general goods, accessories, sandals, and clothing, you can also enjoy a handmade crafting experience.
It's popular with both locals and tourists because they can take home their own creations as souvenirs of their trip, or choose gifts for family and friends.
Details:https://seabirth.wixsite.com/sea-birth
※This image is for illustrative purposes only.
This workshop offers a chance to experience traditional Wakayama indigo dyeing. You can touch this traditional craft with your own hands and create a one-of-a-kind indigo-dyed piece. Indigo dyeing involves repeatedly dipping the fabric in indigo dye solution and exposing it to air to develop the color, creating a beautiful indigo hue. Through the experience and the purchase of indigo-dyed products, you can gain a deeper understanding of this traditional dyeing culture.
Details:https://www.aizome.jp/
This activity takes place in an area called "Survival Game," where participants wear their favorite camouflage clothing or cosplay costumes and compete using airsoft guns. A safety area is available for resting and maintaining equipment and airsoft guns. The game itself takes place on the field using actual airsoft guns. It's a particularly active and fun experience to enjoy with friends, running around in nature and working up a sweat – perfect for a trip to Wakayama.
Details:http://ikoraparks.jp/
This glamping facility is located on an uninhabited island shaped like the letter "E" floating in Tanabe Bay, accessible by car. It accepts only 9 groups per day and offers various accommodation types, including the top-tier "Peninsula Top" room. All rooms boast ocean views and are equipped with private shower spaces and BBQ facilities. Three different BBQ plans featuring Kumano beef are also available. Furthermore, guests can enjoy a variety of experiences, including complimentary all-inclusive services, a barrel-shaped low-temperature sauna, a tent-shaped high-temperature sauna, a rock-faced free bar, all-you-can-eat ice cream (including Häagen-Dazs), marshmallow roasting over a bonfire, live music at night, and a private beach.
This luxurious accommodation, which reopened after renovations in 2020, is located about a 5-minute drive from Adventure World. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and heating, and there is also a covered BBQ terrace. For meals, guests can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients such as Kumano beef, Wakayama-produced plum pork, and spiny lobster. Its greatest feature is the presence of a hot spring and sauna, which guests can use free of charge. In addition, guests can enjoy various activities such as wood-fired pizza making, popcorn making, thoroughbred horseback riding, and roasted marshmallows.
A: To fully enjoy the sightseeing, cuisine, and various experiences of Nanki Shirahama in Wakayama, a trip of at least 2 nights and 3 days is recommended. With 2 nights and 3 days, you can enjoy not only the sights of Nanki Shirahama, but also the cuisine, activities, and your stay at your accommodation at a relatively leisurely pace.
A:Glamping in Wakayama offers a comfortable accommodation environment while being close to abundant nature. Some facilities also offer local ingredients such as spiny lobster, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years because it allows you to enjoy both the outdoors and a luxurious resort experience at the same time.
A:Yes. El Mar Diving Center offers beginner-friendly diving experiences supported by instructors. You can observe marine life such as gobies and sardines, making it a great option for travelers who have never dived before.
Wakayama's Nanki Shirahama is an attractive travel destination where you can enjoy abundant nature and gourmet food at the same time. Beyond stunning scenic spots like Shirarahama Beach and Senjojiki, there's a wide variety of travel experiences to enjoy, from diving and craft workshops to fresh local produce and even luxurious glamping. Use this Wakayama/Nanki Shirahama guide to plan your own special trip to Wakayama.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
