Japan Diaries 2: Day 11

Day 11 May 27, 2018

Shirahama Road Trip 


The weather forecast said that there will be a 20% chance of rainfall in Osaka Prefecture today. However, it seems like we won't be staying in Osaka Prefecture today as our Japanese godfather, Mr. Toshi, surprised us once again when he told us that we'd be going on another road trip. 
Check out who drove the car for us today...

 Upon asking, he told me that he wanted to bring us to the town of Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture. I googled it and found out that it's one of the best beach destinations in the Kansai Region. Aside from that, I also discovered that there is an ongoing Sand-Art Contest on the beach. It would also be featured in the news that we'd be watching in the car on our way to Shirahama.
Turning left...

 We left our home in Kumatori-cho, Osaka Prefecture at around 9AM and reached Shirahama town about an hour and a half later. Our first stop was the famed Shirarahama White Beach or simply Shirarahama Beach. Just a bit of a side note Shirahama means "white beach" or "white bay".
Check out the Sand Art entrees for the Sand Festival

How come no one's swimming except my kid? Hmmm...

Gotta love that view of Shirarahama Beach

Oh Oh! Someone should not have swum in the water!

Team Nicerio visits Shirahama

Shirarahama Beach was truly a picturesque place. The crescent-shaped white-sand beach is well maintained and surprisingly very clean despite the throng of tourists visiting it that day. My 5-year-old daughter (who's a lover of water) immediately took a dip while I went around and took photos of the beach. I was quite baffled as to why nobody among the dozens of beachgoers were swimming in the water. They were just either sunbathing or playing by the shore. It was only Ella who's on the water. Later on, we'd learn from Mr. Toshi that the waters of the beach are still closed for swimmers and would be opened in a few weeks. (To the ones in-charge of Shirarahama Beach, my family and I would like to apologize for our blunder).
Next destination: Lunch near Senjojiki

Our catch for the day

Check out this hair-raising photo spot

The Senjojiki Rock Formations reminded me of Kapurpurawan in the Philippines

Senjojiki - Truly magnificent

 After enjoying the view and admiring the sand art entrees on the beach, we then drove to our next destination which is Senjojiki. It is just a 4-5 minutes drive away from the beach. Before exploring the place we had our late lunch first in a restaurant inside the souvenir shop. After the meal, we went around Senjojiki and took photos of the Senjojiki Rock Formations. The rock formation reminded me of the Kapurpurawan Rock Formations of Ilocos Norte which we visited last December. Both were equally magnificent and picturesque. However, unlike its counterpart in the Philippines, visitors can actually go near the rock formation or even stand on the plateau-like part of the rock formation. What's great about Senjojiki Rock Formations, on the other hand, is that there are no entrance or environmental fees charged to visit it. 
Next destination: Sandanbeki Rock Cliff 

The Sandanbeki Cliffs are genuinely amazing.

 Since we still have a few hours left before sundown, we pushed on to our next destination which is Sandanbeki or Sandanbeki Rock Cliffs located a few minutes away by car. Visitors can get an amazing panoramic view of the cliffs from the viewing area. Mr. Toshi said that this place is usually visited by couples on dates as it was considered a romantic place. Ironically, brokenhearted people also frequent this place not to look for partners but actually to end their misery by jumping off the cliffs. 
That place leads you to the Sandenbeki Doukutsu which was once a pirate cave

Another unique manhole cover

 Visitors can go down these cliffs safely though. They can visit the Sandanbeki Doukutsu or the cave where the Kumano pirates of the Heian period hide their boats via an elevator in the nearby souvenir shop. However, the souvenir shop was already closed during our visit so we kinda missed the chance. We then decided to go home after watching the sunset but Mr. Toshi said that he'd drive us to a nearby place where watching the sunset is better.
Sunset at Engetsu Island

Yomo is loving the view

Last destination for the day: Engetsu Island

 Mr. Toshi drove us to Nanki Shirahama Viewing Point some 10 - 12 minutes away. From there, one could see Engetsu Island from a distance. True enough we really had a stunning view of the sunset.  It was indeed a perfect way to end our Shirahama Road Trip experience. 

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PREVIOUS: Japan Diaries 2: Day 10

NEXT: Japan Diaries 2: Day 12

Location: Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Comments

  1. SupermompicksJanuary 15, 2019 at 11:05 PM

    Japan is on my bucket list of travel destinations! That is a good tip to watch if anyone is swimming in the water. It is so hard for visitors to figure out what is acceptable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 16, 2019 at 9:22 AM

      I agree there. Japan has so many unique traditions and beliefs that most tourists break or disrespect without even knowing so one has to be very observant when in Japan.

      Delete
  2. Luna MoonJanuary 16, 2019 at 1:54 AM

    Your driver is adorable and those beach shots look so relaxing, seems like you all had a great trip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 9:48 AM

      We did. =) Our adorable driver really did bring us to a lot of wonderful places.

      Delete
  3. ReneeJanuary 16, 2019 at 4:48 AM

    I am a huge fan of your Japan adventures and beautiful pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  4. NohailaJanuary 16, 2019 at 6:48 AM

    Those pictures of the amazing views and places you got to see are really amazing 😍 Thank you so much for sharing this amazing adventure with us .

    ReplyDelete
  5. Honest ReaderJanuary 16, 2019 at 9:45 AM

    These pictures are so beautiful! The sand contest looks amazing and the views from the cliffs! Breathtaking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 9:51 AM

      That's true Honest Reader. It was truly an amazing adventure for us. We were really lucky to have seen those during our visit in Japan.

      Delete
  6. @Online NutmeggerJanuary 16, 2019 at 10:29 AM

    Being a traveller with a camera is a great life. I have some places to visit in future. Hoping it comes true. Thank you for the article. Keep going.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 9:56 AM

      I'm excited to see what life has to offer you buddy. Please do share your photographs sometime.

      Delete
  7. Kate @ Kate These DaysJanuary 16, 2019 at 11:39 AM

    Wow! That's so pretty, especially those cliffs. My husband has been wanting to visit Japan. We will have to make it happen one day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 9:56 AM

      Please do visit Japan before 2020 Olympics as fares will surely skyrocket. =)

      Delete
  8. UnknownJanuary 16, 2019 at 5:57 PM

    Beautiful! I'm a huge fan of sand art! Must have been a great surprise to come across :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 10:00 AM

      That's true. It was truly a great surprise to see those during our visit.

      Delete
  9. UnknownJanuary 16, 2019 at 9:33 PM

    I’ve always wanted to visit Japan. My father lived there in the Marines for two years and I love his stories

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 1:05 PM

      You should visit this wonderful country. Imagine walking the same streets as your dad did years back.

      Delete
  10. chadden2001January 17, 2019 at 9:43 PM

    Your images don't even begin to display the beauty of Japan. Thanks for sharing, I'd definitely love to go to Japan one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 1:07 PM

      Thanks for that. I'm happy that I inspired you in some way.

      Delete
  11. Jomar Allen EnecioJanuary 17, 2019 at 10:14 PM

    great article. I'd definitely bookmark this one. Hope to find more like this.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Style High GuyJanuary 17, 2019 at 10:21 PM

    Some brilliant photos. Makes me want to get jetsetting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 1:12 PM

      Thank you so much. You should really try that out. =)

      Delete
  13. MayszJanuary 18, 2019 at 11:32 AM

    OMG I LOVE JAPAN!! I love your travel series adventure I feel so envy for this! Kidding! How I wish I have a chance to visit in Japan soon. great photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 1:15 PM

      I think you'd also get to visit this country some day. =) Keep on working for that dream to come true like what I did.

      Delete
  14. Ellen | ZyraKumaJanuary 18, 2019 at 8:04 PM

    This sounds like a fun trip! Always have Japan on my bucket list. Also the little joke about the dog driving made my day. 😆

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 1:17 PM

      It was a really fun trip. Given the chance I'd do it again. =)

      Delete
  15. Eliz FrankJanuary 18, 2019 at 10:19 PM

    I love all your wonderful family adventures through Japan. The dog in the front seat is adorable and I guess he introduced the post? Hahaha :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 1:17 PM

      Hahaha Yomo the dog was truly adorable. He's a great travel buddy too. He never complains. Hahaha

      Delete
  16. PujariniJanuary 19, 2019 at 11:57 AM

    I would love to visit Japan someday. The bay looks so clean and inviting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 1:30 PM

      Please visit Japan someday, particularly Kansai area.

      Delete
  17. Blair VillanuevaJanuary 20, 2019 at 6:41 PM

    Omg those seafood pillows are so adorable! I want to buy them but only in Japan, right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 23, 2019 at 1:18 PM

      I was looking for that one online but was not successful. I think they sell it in that particular prefecture only.

      Delete
  18. Brandy LynnJanuary 22, 2019 at 10:39 PM

    This looks like an amazing experience. And sometimes we just have to learn as we try to be respectful to their traditions.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2023 at 8:35 AM

    You have a very beautiful family.

    ReplyDelete

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