Shirahama is a small town on the coast of Honshu, a long, hard but possible swim from the island of Shikoku. This town is known mostly for its beaches and harbors, as well as what appears to be an abandoned ship, which provides good shelter to stray dogs. But it's main attraction are by far the clear, white sandy beaches where fish are plentiful and man and animal live together in peace. Because the town is small, they tend to welcome wild dogs and are often fairly helpful when food is scarce, often feeding dogs who help them fish or hunt rabbits and mice in the surrounding fields.