Shirahama 白浜
- amandagoss
- Jul 25, 2016
- 2 min read
Next stop on the tour was Shirarahama in Shirahama (白浜). I kept getting confused by the names, as they are so similar. But essentially Shirarahama is the beach name and Shirahama is the location. Shirarahama is famous for its white sand which is probably why Shirahama means white beach in Japanese. If anywhere was going to remind us of home it was going to be this place, as some of the sand on the beach had been shipped in from Australia. So after settling into our hotel what better way to spend the evening than sitting on the beach relaxing and to let of fireworks! Yes fireworks are legal in Japan and at Shirarahama it is common to see fireworks during the evening.
The next day we headed to Adventure World. On the way we stopped at Senjojiki. This is a plateau of huge rocks created by erosion from huge waves. Senjojiki literally translates to "One Thousand Tatami Mats". This is meant to be what the flat rock formation looks like. A photo of Senjojiki is below, so I will let you be the judge on whether that is what it looks like. Personally I couldn't see the correlation.
Next stop on the way to Adventure World was Sandanbeki Rock Cliff. It is a series of three cliffs. There is also a cave that you can venture down into. Apparently during the Heian Period (794～1185) it was common for pirates or Kumano Suigun (熊野水軍) in Japanese, to hide their ships inside this cave.
Finally after the few detours we made it to Adventure World. I was unsure of what to expect as I had heard mix things about Japanese Zoos. To be completely honest I was appalled by some of the conditions that some of the animals were being kept in. Also there were signs of undernourishment in many of the animals. Protruding rib cages was unfortunately a common sight. I am not sure about the laws surrounding captive animals in Japan but I am certain they are not as strict as the laws in Australia. Just in Queensland alone, a person can face three years imprisonment for keeping an animal in inappropriate confinement. (Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, pp.20). However it was not all bad. The Giant Pandas were kept in wonderful lodging and as the main attraction at the park you could see they were well looked after. The seal show was a lot of fun, with audience participation being a key focus. For anyone thinking about going to Adventure World in the future, I would strongly recommend against it.
Finally on the last morning before we departed to Hiroshima. Sam, Ollie and myself went for an early morning stroll to check out Engetsu Island (円月島). According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation it's official name is "Takashima". It is a small uninhabited island which is located in the Rinkai Inlet, Shirahama. It was breathtaking to see the sun hit the island. With it's unusual shape and circular hole in the middle, it has been designated as a place of scenic beauty in Japan. Being particularly popular for veiwing sunsets.
1. https://www.japanhoppers.com/kansai/shirahama_tanabe/kanko/2746/
2. https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/A/AnimalCaPrA01.pdf
3. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/natuscen/engetsuisland.html
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