Kansai Japan
Kansai (関西) is the heart of Japan, where much of modern-day Japanese culture originated. Its highlights read like a greatest-hits list. Looking for a vibrant dining and drinking scene and the vivid color that Japanese cities are famous for? Head to Osaka. Want to get out into remote mountains and hike for days? Follow the ancient trails of the Kumano Kodō. Famous works of art? See the Buddhist sculptures in Nara. Onsen? There's a whole town for that in Kinosaki. Castles? Check. There's enough to fill a whole itinerary here, and it's all easy to access by public transport. Kansai is a great place to explore if this is your first time in Japan, and it's also a good choice if you're a repeat visitor: there's much to discover beyond the highlights, including fascinating temples, shrines and archaeological sites that resonate through the ages.
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Food
Keeping ancient traditions alive in Nara and Wakayama Prefectures
Mar 9, 2021 • 9 Min read
On a cultural pilgrimage through Nara and Wakayama prefectures, visitors have the chance to experience the rich tapestry of Japanese traditions first-hand
Food
Riding Japan’s ‘New Golden Route’: Traditional Niigata, Shiga and Saitama
Feb 17, 2021 • 8 Min read
Hop on the Shinkansen for often-overlooked destinations and check out these 24-hour itineraries for fascinating Niigata, Shiga and Saitama Prefectures.
History
Intricate craftsmanship reflects the thoughtfulness of Japan’s Shiga prefecture
Dec 22, 2020 • 5 Min read
The waters of Lake Biwa – and the sensation of calm and mental clarity they inspire – are reflected in the signature crafts of the Shiga region
Public Transport
A new wider-access unlimited rail pass makes it easier than ever to visit Kansai’s top sites
Mar 1, 2020 • 2 Min read
Japan's new Kansai Area Pass makes it easier than ever to tour the area’s most famous and celebrated tourist attractions.
Wildlife & Nature
Walking with the Emperors along Japan's pilgrim trail
Feb 28, 2020 • 15 Min read
Hiking along the Kumano Kodō's trails is a way to see a side to Japan far from city lights, where forested mountains hide ancient places of pilgrimage
Art
Exploring Kōya-san: staying at Japan’s sacred mountaintop temple complex
May 22, 2019 • 5 Min read
High in the undulating woodlands of the Kii Peninsula, on a raised tableland at the peak of a mountain, sits Kōya-san. This sacred place offers serenity,…
Art and Culture
First time Wakayama: a guide to Japan's spiritual heartland
Apr 17, 2019 • 7 Min read
From its winding mountain trails to its charming, pristine beaches, Wakayama Prefecture is an ancient gem waiting to be discovered. Steeped in history and…
Food
Kyoto and more: the highlights of Japan’s Kansai region
Apr 3, 2019 • 5 Min read
You could cover a lot of ground on a trip to Japan, or very little, and still get to experience the best of what the country has to offer. Centrally…
Food
Five must-try dishes from Osaka
Feb 26, 2019 • 5 Min read
There’s a reason the Japanese call Osaka tenka no daidokoro, or ‘the nation’s kitchen’. If your fantasies of a trip to Japan involve flashing neon lights,…
Guidebooks
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