Travel Swimming in Wakayama (Kansai) in November?

[Triko80]

Hi,

I will be in Japan this november. I am planning to visit the area around Tokyo and Osaka. I'm thinking also of staying few days in Wakayama City because I see there is a beatuiful scenery and palm trees which I adore.

I've got a question: will it be possible to swim around Wakayama City in november? I see there are many beaches there and the temperature of water and the temperature of air is quite good so I would love to feel the Pacific's water on me.

Thank you in advance for your replies.

 

[thomas]

I'm not sure about the water temperatures in November, but there seem to be a few sandy beaches around Wakayama City.

Wakayama City Tourist Association | Swimming in the sea

Shirahama, further down the western coast, is famous for its white sand beaches and its onsen.

Edit: the East coast of Kii Peninsula is mostly rugged, but very scenic (see picture below).


ZJ has some pretty good info on Shirahama:

Enjoy Shirahama's beauty in Wakayama Prefecture - Zooming Japan

 

[Triko80]

Thanks for these great links. I have already seen the latter. However, there are no informations about swimming season or any special restrictions so I assume that there will be no problems with swimming during autumn.

 

[zoomingjapan]

Hi Triko80!

As you know I've been there in early November and it was too cold to go swimming. Nobody was swimming there although I saw one crazy man who tried nevertheless. Official swimming season is long over in November.

So, it's not forbidden to go swimming, but it depends on you and if you can handle it, I guess.
I wouldn't recommend it, though.

 

[Triko80]

But what was too cold? Water or air? As far as I can see the ocean's temperature in Wakayama in November is about 22 Celsius degrees while in Poland during hot summer the sea's temperature is only about 15 Celsius degrees and everybody is swimming there

 

[zoomingjapan]

I didn't test the water, but I think it was something around 16ﾂｰC.
But the air and the wind were very, VERY cold already!!! T___T

 

[noyhauser]

Its pretty cold in November; also, there are winter storms that can make the area treacherous to swim. You can see surfers from time to time, but its really not swimming weather.

While swimming is really not a possibility, there are other, different reasons to go to the area at that time. I would take a bus down to Tanabe or Shirahama (its pretty reasonable price wise), and visit some of the onsens... they are unbelievable.

Second, if you're really into seeing the outdoors, I'd suggest that you try to walk an extended portion of the Kumano kodo pilgrimage trails. The vistas from that hike are fantastic, and quite enjoyable. Its a two day trip for most people for the Tanabe-Hongu portion (I think most arrive at Chikatsuyu for the night), but it would be a really worthwhile experience. Its also a fairly inexpensive trip, compared to the rest of japan. I'll try to dig up some photos of the area for you.

Something to consider.

 

[Triko80]

I see. You may be right. If it won't be possible to swim, I won't regret going there anyway. I was thinking about Tanabe and Shirahama and about Mount Koya. Maybe I will go there if it will be realy cold.