Wakayama Waka Waka

#travel #seascapes #thingstodo 2-Day Road Trip Itinerary: Coastal Wonders of Wakayama Day 1: Osaka to Shirahama – Sandanbeki Cliffs & Senjojiki Rocks Morning: Departure from Osaka • Start time: 7:30 AM • Distance: ~2.5 to 3 hours by car (approx. 200 km via Hanwa Expressway) • Tip: Grab breakfast and snacks for the road at a local convenience store. Midday: Sandanbeki Cliffs • Arrival: Around 11:00 AM • Highlights: • Towering 50-meter sea cliffs with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. • Explore the Sandanbeki Cave, historically used by Kumano pirates. • Feel the sea spray as waves crash against the rocks below—powerful and cinematic. • Admission (Cave): ~¥1,300 • Duration: 1–1.5 hours Lunch: Shirahama Beach Area • Try fresh seafood or a local favorite: Shirasu-don (whitebait rice bowl). • Suggested spot: Fisherman’s Wharf Shirahama or a small coastal diner. Afternoon: Senjojiki Rocks • Just a 10-minute drive from Sandanbeki. • These dramatic, flat rock formations resemble a thousand tatami mats (“senjo”). • Perfect for golden-hour photography or simply soaking in the sea breeze. • Walk, climb, and sit on the layered sandstone slabs for an unforgettable seascape view. Evening: Shirahama Onsen • Stay overnight at a seaside ryokan or hotel with an ocean-view onsen. • Recommended: Kaiseki dinner featuring local seafood, including spiny lobster or abalone. • Enjoy a soak under the stars in an open-air bath with the sound of waves below. ⸻ Day 2: Shirahama to Kushimoto – Hashigui-iwa Rocks Morning: Drive to Hashigui-iwa Rocks • Departure: ~9:00 AM • Drive: ~1.5 hours (70 km along the scenic coastline) • Stop at lookouts along the way—the coastal roads here are jaw-dropping. Midday: Explore Hashigui-iwa Rocks • These “Bridge Pillar Rocks” are a stunning line of natural stone pillars stretching out into the sea. • At low tide, you can walk among them. • Legend says they were part of a bridge being built by a monk to reach Kii Oshima. • Great for photos, beachcombing, and marveling at geologic beauty. Lunch in Kushimoto • Visit the Kushimoto Marine Park for fresh seafood or grab lunch at a roadside station (“Michi-no-Eki”). • Don’t miss trying Katsuura tuna if available. Afternoon Options (Optional stop): • Visit Kushimoto Ohashi Bridge and Shionomisaki Lighthouse, the southernmost tip of Honshu. • Or relax at a seaside café before your return. Evening: Drive back to Osaka • Drive time: ~4 hours • Return by 7:00–8:00 PM, depending on your pace and stops. ⸻ Tips & Essentials • Rental car with ETC card is highly recommended. • Check tide schedules if you want to walk among the rocks at Hashigui-iwa. • Bring comfortable shoes with grip for rock areas. • Hav