Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, is located on the warm Kii Peninsula and is blessed with a natural environment and climatic conditions that make it an ideal place for giant panda breeding and research. Today, Shirahama is widely known as the "City of Pandas," and the town office of Shirahama Shirahama" is posted at the Shirahama Town Hall, and photos and illustrations of pandas can be seen everywhere in the town.

Shirahama Town receives approximately 3.4 million visitors annually (in 2020, the number will decrease to approximately 2.4 million due to the spread of the new coronavirus), but according to the "Nanki-Shirahama from Tourism Data "*, "What do you know about Shirahama Town?" What are the most popular places in Shirahama Town?" the "Panda Family" was the top answer to the question "What do you know about Shirahama?", and is recognized as one of Shirahama's attractions, as are the hot springs that have been bubbling for over 1350 years, the beautiful sea, and the fresh seafood and other gourmet foods.

*Published in March 2020, from a survey conducted by the Nanki Shirahama Tourism Association.

Currently, we are working with Shirahama Town to revitalize the community through pandas, including "bamboo lights" made from panda bamboo, "panda rooms" in collaboration with hotels in Shirahama Town, and wrapped vehicles operated in collaboration with West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and Meiko Bus Company.