Nanki-Shirahama Airport (nicknamed Kumano Shirahama Resort Airport) is the gateway to one of the Kansai region’s leading resort areas, about 1 hour 15 minutes by air from Haneda Airport. Right near the airport is Adventure World, a park that combines a zoo with an amusement park. In the Shirahama Onsen area, 10 to 15 minutes away by bus, you’ll find the white sands of Shirarahama Beach and the sheer cliffs of Sandanbeki.

The appeal of sightseeing from Nanki-Shirahama Airport is how close the attractions are to the airport. The airport shuttle bus takes you to the main sights. With a rental car, you can go as far as the Kumano Kodo and Kumano Nachi Taisha.

Please note that the giant pandas at Adventure World were returned to China in June 2025.

※ The information in this article is current as of October 2026. Business hours and prices are subject to change, so please check each facility’s official website for the latest information.

Nanki-Shirahama Airport Basics | Access

Nanki-Shirahama Airport is located in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, and has direct flights from Haneda Airport.

• Terminal building opening and closing times: 8:00–18:45
• Airport operating hours: 8:30–20:00 (from October 1, 2025)

Here is how to get from the airport to the sightseeing spots.

Mode	Details
Airport shuttle bus	To Shirarahama Beach, Sandanbeki, Senjojiki, Toretore Market, Adventure World, and more. Routes vary depending on the connecting flight and the season. Timetables are available on the Wakayama Prefecture official website
Bus / taxi	10–15 minutes to Shirahama Onsen
Car	About 5 minutes to Adventure World
Rental car	About 90 km (just under 2 hours) to Kumano Nachi Taisha

If you’re driving to the airport, see also our article on parking fees and congestion at Nanki-Shirahama Airport.

Enjoying the Airport Itself

The ocean views from inside the airport put you in a resort mood.

• Observation deck: Free, open from 8:10 until the last flight takes off (closed in bad weather). Enjoy watching planes take off and land, with views of the sea.
• Shop: 8:10–18:20
• Restaurant (takeout): 8:30–18:00
• Lobby lounge on the 2nd floor: A free open space, no reservation required.

The terminal building has fairly short opening hours, 8:00–18:45. After you arrive, we recommend heading straight to the sightseeing spots rather than waiting at the airport.

If you’d like to relax before your departure, please also see our article on the lounge at Nanki-Shirahama Airport.

Right Near the Airport | Adventure World

Adventure World is about 5 minutes by car from the airport. This theme park combines a zoo, an aquarium, and an amusement park, and lets you meet about 1,600 animals of roughly 120 species.

• Address: 2399 Katata, Shirahama
• Hours: 10:00–17:00 (varies by season; irregular closing days)
• Admission: From ¥5,300 for adults (dynamic pricing)
• Access: Right in front of the “Adventure World” stop on the airport shuttle bus

The park is made up of Safari World, Marine World, and Enjoy World. You can see land animals in Safari World, enjoy live dolphin and whale shows in Marine World, and have fun on the amusement rides.

The pandas were returned to China in June 2025. Although you can’t see pandas now, hands-on experiences such as the safari and the shows are drawing attention. Be sure to check the official website for the latest open days and prices.

Shirahama Onsen and the Seaside Area

The Shirahama Onsen area, 10 to 15 minutes from the airport by bus or taxi, is home to famous sea and hot spring spots.

Shirahama Onsen | One of Japan’s Three Oldest Hot Springs

Shirahama Onsen is one of “Japan’s Three Oldest Hot Springs,” alongside Dogo Onsen and Arima Onsen. It is a historic hot spring town that appears in both the Nihon Shoki and the Man’yoshu. Facilities for enjoying the hot springs are scattered throughout the area, including baths with natural, free-flowing spring water, foot baths, and public baths that are partly free.

There are public baths of very different character, such as “Saki no Yu,” with an open-air bath right at the water’s edge, and the historic “Muro no Yu.”

Shirarahama Beach

Shirarahama Beach is a white-sand beach about 620 m long, and it gave Shirahama its name. With its pure white, silky quartz sand, emerald-green sea, and rows of palm trees, it feels so much like a resort that it is a sister beach to Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. About 600,000 people visit every year, making it one of the Kansai region’s top beaches.

There are also events such as beach yoga, illuminations, and fireworks, so you can enjoy it in every season. It is right in front of the “Shirarahama” stop on the airport shuttle bus.

Sandanbeki

Sandanbeki is a scenic spot where sheer cliffs about 50 m high stretch for roughly 2 km. The contrast between the blue sea and the cliffs conveys the power of nature.

A cave extending 36 m underground holds legends of the Kumano Suigun naval clan. It is also popular as a “Sacred Place for Lovers,” with a heart-shaped monument and a pink mailbox. It is right in front of the “Sandanbeki” bus stop.

Senjojiki

Senjojiki is a scenic spot with a vast rock platform carved by the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean. Its name comes from the way it looks as if a thousand tatami mats had been laid out. In the evening, the sun setting into the sea creates a romantic atmosphere. It is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.

Engetsujima

Engetsujima is famous as a symbol of Shirahama, an island with a unique shape, with a round sea cave open through its center. It is especially known for being beautiful at dusk. Glass-bottom boat cruises are also available (¥1,500 for adults, ¥750 for children aged 4 through elementary school).

Toretore Market

Toretore Market is the largest market in Nanki-Shirahama. Besides selling fresh seafood, it has restaurants serving dishes such as seafood rice bowls. It is open 8:30–18:30 (last order for meals at 17:30). It is right in front of the “Toretore Market” bus stop.

The Kumano Kodo and Kumano Nachi Taisha | About 2 Hours by Rental Car

If you have a bit more time, we also recommend visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo. Rent a car at the airport and head to Kumano Nachi Taisha.

• Distance: About 90 km. Just under 2 hours via a toll-free expressway and local roads
• On the way: At the halfway point, Hashikui-iwa, you can take a break and stop at a roadside station
• Kumano Nachi Taisha: You can start a walk along the Kumano Kodo from the entrance, Daimonzaka. There are the Meoto-sugi (Wedded Cedars) and a spectacular viewpoint of Nachi Falls and the three-story pagoda

Considering the round-trip driving time, we recommend planning with plenty of time to spare.

Sights Reachable by Airport Shuttle Bus

The airport shuttle bus connects Shirahama’s main sightseeing spots.

Sightseeing spot	Location relative to the stop
Shirarahama Beach	Right in front of the Shirarahama stop
Sandanbeki	Right in front of the Sandanbeki stop
Senjojiki	5-minute walk from the stop
Toretore Market	Right in front of the Toretore Market stop
Adventure World	Right in front of the Adventure World stop

Routes vary depending on the connecting flight and the season. Please check the timetable and fares on the Wakayama Prefecture official website.

Model Itineraries for Sightseeing from Nanki-Shirahama Airport

Half-Day Seaside Tour (Airport Shuttle Bus)

• Arrive at Nanki-Shirahama Airport and take the airport shuttle bus to Shirarahama Beach
• Stroll along Shirarahama Beach
• Take in the cliffs and the sunset at Sandanbeki and Senjojiki
• Enjoy seafood and buy souvenirs at Toretore Market
• Take the airport shuttle bus back to the airport

One-Day Animals and Hot Springs Tour

• Arrive at the airport and head to Adventure World by rental car or bus (about 5 minutes)
• Enjoy the safari and the marine live shows
• In the evening, watch the sunset from Engetsujima or Shirarahama Beach
• Soak in the hot spring at the public bath “Saki no Yu” in Shirahama Onsen
• In the evening, enjoy seafood such as spiny lobster and kue (longtooth grouper)

Rental Car Tour Extending to the Kumano Kodo (3 Days, 2 Nights Example)

• Day 1: Rent a car at the airport and drive to Kumano Nachi Taisha, stopping at Hashikui-iwa on the way. Walk Daimonzaka, then stay in Shirahama
• Day 2: Enjoy Adventure World and Shirarahama Beach
• Day 3: Visit Sandanbeki, Senjojiki, and Engetsujima, then head to the airport

Recommendations by Purpose

If You Want to Pass the Time at the Airport

Watch planes take off and land against the sea from the observation deck. The lobby lounge on the 2nd floor is free to use.

If You Want a Fun Trip with Family

Adventure World is about 5 minutes by car from the airport. The shallow waters of Shirarahama Beach are also a good choice for families.

If You’re a Couple or Want to Enjoy Sunset Views

We recommend the Sacred Place for Lovers at Sandanbeki, the sunset at Senjojiki, and the dusk view at Engetsujima.

If You Want to Relax in a Hot Spring

At Shirahama Onsen, one of Japan’s Three Oldest Hot Springs, enjoy “Saki no Yu,” with its open-air bath at the water’s edge, and the historic “Muro no Yu.”

If You Want to Taste Fresh Seafood

We recommend Toretore Market. You can also enjoy Shirahama specialties such as spiny lobster and kue.

If You Want to Immerse Yourself in History and Nature

We recommend the Kumano Kodo and Kumano Nachi Taisha. Rent a car at the airport, and it takes about 2 hours.

We Also Recommend NearMe for Getting To and From Nanki-Shirahama Airport!

※ Photo is for illustration purposes. Actual vehicles vary by area.

The route of the Nanki-Shirahama Airport shuttle bus varies depending on the connecting flight and the season. If you’d like to go straight to your Shirahama Onsen hotel without transferring, consider the Nanki-Shirahama Airport fixed-fare taxi from “NearMe.”

Why It Makes Your Trip Smoother Before and After Sightseeing

• No transfers: Go directly from the airport to your Shirahama Onsen hotel.
• Great even with lots of luggage: Head to your sightseeing base while keeping your suitcase with you.
• Reliable with advance booking: Your pickup time and vehicle are confirmed by 6 p.m. the day before.
• Operating 24 hours: You don’t need to worry about getting around outside the terminal building’s opening hours (8:00–18:45).
• Peace of mind if your flight is delayed: No cancellation fee if your flight is delayed or canceled.

Overview

NearMe is a fixed-fare transfer service that picks you up directly from anywhere you like, such as your home or hotel, and takes you to the airport. It has had over 1.5 million cumulative reserved passengers (October 2019 to September 2026) and a ride satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5.0.

• Shared ride (carpool): From ¥680 per person

Fares by area can be found on NearMe’s Nanki-Shirahama Airport page.

How to Use It

• Enter your preferred date, time, and conditions to make a provisional reservation.
• You will receive a response on whether the reservation is possible within a few hours.
• By 6 p.m. the day before your ride, your departure and arrival times, vehicle, and route are confirmed.
• On the day, simply board the vehicle at the designated location.

As a general rule, new reservations are accepted until 6 p.m. the day before your ride. Please book early.

How to Get an Even Better Deal

• Early-bird discount: Book at least 14 days before your ride for a discounted price
• Share discount: Get a discounted price if you have fellow passengers, or if your conditions (date, time, route) make it easy to find some
• Children ride at half the adult fare, and infants ride free
• One suitcase is free; oversized luggage costs extra
• Earn ANA, JAL, Starflyer, UA, and EVA miles when you use a shared ride

NearMe Is Recommended for

• Those who want to go to a Shirahama Onsen hotel without transferring
• Those with a lot of luggage who want to go straight to their sightseeing base
• Those traveling outside the terminal building’s opening hours, such as in the evening or early morning
• Those heading to the airport with family or friends

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Can I do sightseeing at Nanki-Shirahama Airport?

A. Yes. Inside the airport there are an observation deck and a shop. Adventure World, about 5 minutes from the airport by car, and Shirahama Onsen, Shirarahama Beach, and Sandanbeki, 10 to 15 minutes away by bus or taxi, are also convenient for sightseeing.

Q. How long does it take to get to Adventure World? Are there pandas?

A. It takes about 5 minutes from the airport by car. The pandas were returned to China in June 2025, so there are none at present. You can enjoy the safari, shows, and more.

Q. How long does it take to get from the airport to Shirahama Onsen?

A. It takes 10 to 15 minutes by bus or taxi.

Q. Which sightseeing spots can I reach by airport shuttle bus?

A. Shirarahama Beach, Sandanbeki, Senjojiki (5-minute walk from the stop), Toretore Market, and Adventure World. Routes vary depending on the connecting flight and the season, so please check the timetable in advance.

Q. How long does it take to get to the Kumano Kodo and Kumano Nachi Taisha?

A. By rental car, it’s about 90 km, just under 2 hours. You’ll use a toll-free expressway and local roads.

Q. Are there places I can spend time for free inside the airport?

A. The observation deck (8:10 until the last flight takes off, closed in bad weather) and the lobby lounge on the 2nd floor are free.

Q. Until what time is the airport terminal building open?

A. 8:00–18:45. The airport’s operating hours are 8:30–20:00 (from October 1, 2025).

Q. How can I go directly to my Shirahama hotel with my luggage?

A. With NearMe, you can go from the airport to your hotel without transferring. If you book by 6 p.m. the day before, your pickup time and vehicle are confirmed.

Q. What’s the parking situation if I drive to the airport?

A. For details, please see our article on parking at Nanki-Shirahama Airport.

Summary

Nanki-Shirahama Airport is an airport with sightseeing spots close by: about 5 minutes by car to Adventure World, and 10 to 15 minutes by bus or taxi to Shirahama Onsen, Shirarahama Beach, and Sandanbeki. The Kumano Kodo is about 2 hours away by rental car. Because the pandas have been returned, please be careful with information in older articles.

Also, if you want to go to a Shirahama hotel without transferring, or you have a lot of luggage, please consider NearMe, where your pickup time is confirmed with an advance reservation.