Shirahama

My guess is that it will be busy, VERY busy in Shirahama, during the tail end of Obon week, all the way until Sunday evening. Just about any place with an onsen that is half-way nice by the sea in the area should be packed then. It's from that Monday when you go back to Kyoto things dramatically quiet down. Is there any way to reschedule?

not really we have stuff planned for the rest of our trip, we are unfortunate to have to be travelling at that time but there is no way to reschedule... so we just want to make the most of what we can in that busy time... we do just want to stop somewhere to relax so its not the worst thing is it is really busy... maybe a smaller town on the penisular? or anywhere further north towards tokyo? we are thinking of maybe staying monday night in shimoda... any suggestions of other places?

Got it. Unfortunately, there will not be many quiet places that are nice around that time. Shimoda and all of Izu Peninsula will be packed until Sunday, and relatively quiet on Monday. Smaller towns that have nothing would be quiet, but if they have anything interesting or nice, like an onsen and/or a beach, there will be a crowd. All the places that I can think of will likely be busy.

One area of Izu Peninsula that I have always liked is the western shore, in the areas of Heda and Toi. A nice area, scenic, and usually pretty quiet, but during the Obon time, all bets are off.

There is unfortunately not much you can do, which is the problem with Japan when all 125 million people take the days off at the same time.

Go to Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture which is the same prefecture as Koya-san.

sorry yes it is the Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture that i was talking about to begin with...

Shirahama is busy during Obon but fun because they have good firework shows throughout the week. You should book your hotel ahead and don't drive. Trains aren't busy going down there but the highway is awful.

thank you i think we are definitely going there now it does sound good... i know its a long shot but anyone know of any good cheap accomm i will try the couple of places listed in the LP but as they are in there they are more likely to be full i guess...