7 Best Places to Go Shopping in Shirahama

Toretore Ichiba Nanki Shirahama is a major food theme park that’s pretty much unavoidable when visiting Shirahama. Fresh seafood is cut right in front of your eyes, and everything’s offered at a great price, from tuna to sea bream, sashimi and dried fish. There’s even a refrigerated delivery service onsite, so you can arrange to have fresh foods sent wherever you like.

Another popular service is to buy food and have it cooked on a barbecue. There’s also a wide range of side dishes and bento (boxed lunches) to take home, and candies made from local fruits like mandarin oranges make great souvenirs. Be sure to arrive early, as queues are inevitable at the food court during lunchtime.

AEON MALL Wakayama is directly connected to Wakayama Daigaku-mae Station and has a large carpark, so not surprisingly it’s always bustling with mainly local customers. You can shop here for fashionable clothes and other items, but there’s also a wide range of entertainment facilities, including a movie theater and an amusement arcade. You'll also find an extensive selection of cafés, restaurants, and candy stores, as well as a grocery store and a local farmers’ market.

Children will enjoy playing in Fujito Park, a terraced area with fountains, a playground, picnic neighborhoods, and a bouldering wall. When you’ve had too much fun, take a rest on the terrace and enjoy the great views.

Gourmet City Shirahama is a grocery store operated by the Daiei chain that’s very handy thanks to its location, 24-hour opening, and wide variety of products. It’s a good idea to buy food for your stay here if you're in accommodations with a kitchen, or foods for a barbecue, as well as buying beverages, snacks and other items for the beach.

It also sells medicines, daily necessities and clothing, and upstairs there’s a Daiso 100-yen shop, so pop in if you’ve forgotten something or suddenly realize you need something. You could also pick up some food products from local brands as souvenirs.

Burakuri-cho is the collective name for 6 shopping streets around Wakayama Castle, about 60 km from Shirahama. If you want to enjoy some sightseeing in Wakayama City anyway, it makes sense to combine your trip and explore these streets. The area is home to Wakayama ramen, which is now a nationally famous dish, as well as cafés that have a deep connection with X Japan, and you can enjoy a nostalgic tour of shops in retro buildings that bring to mind Japan’s Showa era.

A former castle town that prospered under the Kishu domain, Wakayama was a lively place between the Meiji and Showa eras, so it has plenty of long-running shops and hidden sites that you won't find anywhere else. You can also find newer unique shops on Moto-Deramachi Street.

Okuwa Shirahama Katata is a grocery store conveniently located close to the popular Shirahama tourist spot Toretore Market, where you can get good food at relatively low prices. The shop is open 24 hours a day, so it’s a popular place with the locals too.

As well as fresh food, it also stocks side dishes, bento (boxed lunches), candies, and daily necessities. Basically, it has everything you might want or need. It also has a good selection of locally brewed beer and other beverages, so why not grab a few bottles to taste and compare?

Fisherman's Wharf Shirahama is a popular facility run by local fishermen. The market is lined with fresh seafood landed from Yuzaki fishing port. Everything you buy you can eat onsite, and the generous seafood rice lawn bowling are a definite highlight.

You could also enjoy a hearty barbecue on the rooftop terrace. For beverages, you can order beer from the beer hall next door. Having a relaxed meal in the café or restaurant is another great option.

Fukukamedo Sandan is a souvenir shop where you can also stop for a meal when visiting the Sandanbeki Cliffs. You’ll have to pay to use the carpark, but it's free if you buy products in the shop or use the restaurant. There are also spaces for large buses, so it's often used as a rest stop for sightseeing tours.

If you’re feeling hungry, try the famous shirasu kama-age (boiled whitebait) rice bowl. Don't miss the delicious udon noodles that are included with the set meal. The window seats offer excellent ocean views.