Shirahama

Rounding the peninsula 54 km (34 miles) northwest of Shio-no-misaki, Shirahama is a small headland famous for its pure white-sand beach. If you're wondering why it looks and feels so different from the other beaches, it's because this sand is imported from Australia. Hot springs are dotted along the beach and around the cape. The climate, which allows beach days even in winter, makes Shirahama an inviting base for exploring the area. Although it can be intolerably busy in July and August, it is otherwise pretty laid-back. JR trains from Nachi and Osaka run to Shirahama. A 17-minute bus ride from the train station gets you to the beachside town.