Shirahama, Wakayama

Infobox City Japan
Name= Shirahama
JapaneseName= 白浜町
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Region= Kansai
Prefecture= Wakayama Prefecture
District= Nishimuro District
Area_km2= 201.04
PopDate= September 1, 2007
Population= 23180
Density_km2= 115
Coords=
Tree=
Flower=
Bird= Egret
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SymbolDescription=
Mayor=
CityHallPostalCode= 649-2211
CityHallAddress= 1600 Shirahama-chō, Nara-ken
CityHallPhone= 0739-43-5555
CityHallLink= [http://www.town.shirahama.wakayama.jp/ Town of Shirahama]

nihongo|Shirahama|白浜町|Shirahama-chō is a town located in Nishimuro District, Wakayama, Japan.

As of September 1, 2007, the town has an estimated population of 23,180 and a density of 115 persons per km². The total area is 201.04 km².

Shirahama is a resort town on the south coast of Wakayama Prefecture. Its beaches are white sand, imported from Australia. Shirahama is also known for its hot springs.During the summer (July and August), there are fireworks every night on the beach.

Shirahama is about two and a half hours from Osaka by West Japan Railway's "Ocean Arrow". There are also daily flights from Nanki-Shirahama Airport to Tokyo's Tokyo International Airport (Haneda).

Geography

Located in southeastern Wakayama Prefecture, the town has a temperate climate. Many hot springs can be found here, most notably Nanki Shirahama Onsen and Tsubaki Onsen. Also, two paths that are located in the town are part of a World Heritage site. Shirahama is known to be one of the very few municipalities in Japan that do not have "azas", or towns and villages that previously existed within the boundaries of the present day Shirahama.

Places of note

*Kumano Kodo (old road)
*三段壁 (3 Step Cliff) Cliffs along on the ocean edge that are 50 meters high. It is said that pirates (kumano suigun)used to inhabit the caverns :and the remains of their dwellings can be seen.
*千畳敷 A rocky point near Shirahama beach.
*Minakata Kumagusu Museum houses much of scientist Minakata Kumagusu's books, specimens, and memorabilia.

ister cities

*flagicon|United States Honolulu, Hawaii,United States (Goodwill Beach City Relationship)

External links

* [http://www.town.shirahama.wakayama.jp/ Official town website] (in Japanese)
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