| Former municipality | |
| Since | March 20, 2006 |
| Currently part of | Minamibōsō |
Shirahama's location in Chiba, Japan. |
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| Location | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kantō region |
| Prefecture | Chiba |
| District | Awa District, |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Area | 17.07 km² |
| Population (as of October 1, 2004) | |
| Total | 6,027 |
| Density | 353/km² |
| Symbols | |
| Tree | Camellia |
| Flower | Crinum asiaticum |
Shirahama (白浜町 Shirahama-chō) is a former town located in Awa District, Chiba, Japan. As of October 1, 2004, the town had an estimated population of 6,027 and a density of 353 persons per km². The total area was 17.07 km².
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Shirahama was located at very southern end of Chiba Prefecture, at the southern extremity of Bōsō Peninsula, facing the Pacific Ocean. The town had a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.
Shirahama Village was created on April 1, 1889 within Asai District, which became part of Awa District from April 1, 1897. It became a town on April 1, 1933.
On March 20, 2006 Shirahama was merged with the neighboring towns of Tomiyama, Wada, Chikura, Maruyama and Tomiura, and the village of Miyoshi, all within Awa District, to form the new city of Minamibōsō. Prior to the merger, Shirahama was known as Shirahama-machi in Japanese. Subsequently, it has become known as Shirahama-cho. Both "machi" and "cho" are written the same way in Japanese, but the different pronunciations convey the information that Shirahama is now a neighborhood within Minamibōsō rather than its own municipality.
The economy of Shirahama was largely based on commercial fishing, horticulture (primarily herbs and flowers), and summer tourism.