Beaches, Hot Springs and Pandas! Nanki-Shirahama’s Diverse Attractions

Nanki-Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture is one of the most popular resort areas in the Kansai region, visited by more than 3 million people annually. The reason for its popularity is its beautiful beaches.

Shirarahama Beach is a stretch of sparkling white sand and blue ocean. People come here to spend the day swimming, doing marine sports, and going for strolls. The area has formed a sister beach affiliation with Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, and local residents are engaged in community-wide activities to protect the beauty of the beach, such as cleaning up waste that washes ashore.

The abundance of leisure spots is another attraction of this area.

Shirahama Hot Springs has a history of more than 1,300 years as one of the "Three Oldest Hot Springs in Japan" along with Dogo Hot Springs and Arima Hot Springs.

Adventure World has the largest number of giant pandas in Japan (seven as of December 2022).

Toretore Market is directly operated by a local fishing cooperative, and Engetsu Island is a nationally designated scenic spot. Kue hot pots from fall to winter and Nanko-plums, a local specialty, are also available.

Since its opening in 1929, the Shiraraso Grand Hotel has welcomed many guests, including members of the imperial family and celebrities. As part of its hospitality, the hotel has been implementing initiatives to make its guests aware of the attractions of Shirahama. One such initiative is the panda bamboo ring workshop held jointly by Shirahama's well-known Adventure World and the Shiraraso Grand Hotel.

Among the wide variety of animals living in Adventure World, giant pandas are immensely popular. As of December 2022, the facility is home to seven pandas. Pandas are fed 40 to 100kg of bamboo, their staple food, per day, of which they eat only about 20kg. Uneaten bamboo, such as that with hard bark or that which is not to their liking, is discarded.

Adventure World has launched the "Panda Bamboo Project" to make effective use of uneaten bamboo as one of its SDGs initiatives. We hope that the pandas will help raise awareness of environmental issues and the SDGs," said Mai Hasegawa, a member of Adventure World's public relations staff.

The panda bamboo ring workshop was planned as part of this initiative, and the event was also held at the Shiraraso Grand Hotel, where visitors could enjoy learning about panda ecology and bamboo environmental issues.

The workshop started with an explanation of panda ecology by Adventure World's zookeepers. There was a corner where participants could actually touch the bamboo left by pandas, and they cheered when the keeper explained, "These are the marks where pandas have chewed.”

After understanding the relationship between pandas and bamboo, it was time to make bamboo rings. The participants could choose their favorite panda from the panda family for the leftover bamboo that would be used as material for the rings.

Akihiro Mashimo of Nagaoka Meichiku, the ring-making instructor, carefully told the participants, "The trick is not to twist. Gently hold the bamboo as you make use of its bendiness.” And a beautiful ring was completed. A child participant said, "It was difficult but interesting. I wonder if bamboo tastes so different." They seemed to be very satisfied with their work.

Shiraraso Grand Hotel also offers a variety of other programs that allow guests to experience the charms of Shirahama.

The ume juice-making experience is a must. You can enjoy making easy and delicious ume juice using specialty Kishu Nanko ume," says Mr. Nishino of the Shiraraso Grand Hotel. He added that another advantage of the hotel's events is that visitors can enjoy the charms of the region in a relaxed atmosphere.

Why not enjoy the endless charms of Nanki-Shirahama at the Shiraraso Grand Hotel?