Wakayama Prefecture Shirahama has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

The hot springs in this area have been used since ancient times and are mentioned on several occasions in the Nihon Shoki and throughout the pre-modern period.

A local commercial shipping company, the Shirahama Onsen Motor Co., Ltd., began promotion of the area as a resort.

[citation needed] Shirahama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members.

Shirahama, collectively with the other municipalities in Nishimuro District, contributes three members to the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Wakayama 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

In the 1960s, when Shirahama was connected by rail to Osaka, the city became a popular tourist destination, and blocky white hotel towers were erected along the coastal road.