日本の関西地域の究極ガイド

Ultimate Guide To The Kansai Region of Japan - Going Awesome Places Skip to content Get ready to fall in love after reading this awesome guide to Kansai, Japan . One of the country’s eight regions, Kansai (or Kinki as it’s also known as) is up there with our favorites. It has so many different and unique city destinations to explore, as well as nature spots that few people know about. This article may contain affiliate links where we make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤️. For more details, read our disclosure page . It’s a great destination no matter the season, and you can easily pick and choose destinations depending on how much time you have for your trip. From breathtaking hot springs overlooking the sea to lively city neighborhoods that never sleep, the Kansai region is a world of contrasts that will keep you on your toes! What You’ll Get Out Of This Article This awesome Kansai guide will help you get your bearings and figure out what parts of the area you want to see on your next trip. It also includes: Top things to do in Kansai’s highlights: Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and foodie-favorite Nishiki Market. Can’t-miss temples like Shitenno-ji and Yasaka Pagoda. Electric neighborhoods like Dotonbori, full of neon streets and lively bars. Universal Studios Osaka tips: best rides and themed food spots. Hidden gems like Lake Biwa and Nachi Waterfall. Travel tips, hotel recommendations, and essential Kansai advice for getting around and making the most of your trip. In This Article What You’ll Get Out Of This Article The Ultimate Guide To The Kansai Region Where Is The Kansai Region Why The Kansai Region Is Worth Visiting Notable Hotels In Kansai Top Things To See In Kansai’s Major Cities Osaka: Visit Japan’s Futuristic Neighborhoods And Temples Kyoto: Discover Japan’s Ancient Temples And Immerse Yourself In Traditional Japanese Culture Nara: Visit The Bowing Deer And Try Fresh Mochi Travel Beyond Kansai’s Three Major Cities Activities We Recommend You Book Dive Deeper Into The Kansai Region General Travel Tips Packing Guide Let Kansai’s Cities Sweep You Off Your Feet, Then Recover In Wakayama’s Gorgeous Hot Springs Kansai Frequently Asked Questions Read More About Japan The Ultimate Guide To The Kansai Region Get ready to be blown away by how much there is to do in Kansai – let’s dive right in! TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO THE KANSAI REGION Where to stay: The Deer Park Inn is inside the Nara Deer Park! Watch them roaming around the park from your bedroom window and fall in love with these adorable animals. We use Booking.com for all of our stays and use the Genius discount to get great deals on our hotel bookings. Alternatively, you can always see if hotel corporate codes might work for you. Must pack item: Bring your best camera so you can capture photos of all the unforgettable places you visit in Kansai! Recommended tour: Book this traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto . We absolutely loved putting kimonos on and learning about this age-old tradition. Car rentals – Because there are such great transport links around Kansai, you most likely won’t need a car for this trip. But if you want to visit some of the more remote destinations in this guide then make sure you know about ways to save money with car rental coupon codes and always start your search with Discover Cars and RentalCars so you know what the best deals are. Flights – If you are flying in from elsewhere, use the Skyscanner “Everywhere” feature to find the best deals from your local airport. Check how much it would be for you to get to Kansai International Airport! Insurance – Not always required but always recommended! Make sure you’re covered with the best travel insurance . Our go-to is always HeyMondo for great coverage at a fair price, also with our link you automatically get 15% off Hottest deals – Never be without our frequently updated travel deals page . From the gorgeous onsens with views of the Pacific to the neon-lit neighborhoods of Osaka, the Kansai region has something for everyone! Where Is The Kansai Region The Kansai region is located in the southern-central part of Honshu , Japan’s main island, and is often considered the cultural heart of the country. It’s made up of seven prefectures—Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Shiga, Wakayama, and Mie —each offering a rich mix of history, food, and tradition. Kansai is home to some of Japan’s most iconic destinations: Kyoto’s temples and geisha districts, Osaka’s bustling street food scene, Nara’s ancient capital and friendly deer, and Himeji Castle in Hyogo. With its convenient transport links and variety of attractions, Kansai is one of the easiest and most rewarding regions to explore. Looking at Japan as a whole, Kansai sits alongside other regions that define the country’s diverse identity: Hokkaido offers wide-open wilderness and winter sports. Tohoku is famous for its onsen towns like Ginzan and Nyuto. Chubu holds the Japanese Alps and Nagoya. Kanto is home to Tokyo and Yokohama. Kansai is famous for Kyoto , Osaka and Nara. Chugoku includes Hiroshima and Okayama. Shikoku is known for its island pilgrimages. Kyushu blends volcanic landscapes with hot springs. Kansai is often seen as the soul of Japan, where ancient traditions, culinary delights, and historic landmarks come together in one unforgettable region. YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS The 8 Regions Of Japan — Map, Travel Guides & Best Time To Visit Why The Kansai Region Is Worth Visiting Kansai, also known as Kinki , is a region on the island of Honshu (the main one). It’s located in the southern-central part of Japan’s main island and encompasses seven different prefectures – Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Mie, and Shiga. Find Us More Often in Your Searches Hit the button, then hit the 'Save' (Star icon) on the Google page to personalize your searches to include this site more often in your results. + Add as Preferred Source It’s one of our favorite regions of Japan because it’s home to Kyoto and Osaka, two very different cities that offer a glimpse into Japan’s ancient past and the more modern, futuristic vibe. You can bounce between them in no time , which we loved! If you’ve got a while to spend in Kansai, then you should also explore the lush hot springs in Wakayama , stroll the shores of Lake Biwa , and visit the country’s tallest single-tier waterfall. Get ready to discover all the awesome and unique things you can do in the Kansai region – let’s jump right in! Notable Hotels In Kansai We found the best hotels in each of Kansai’s three major cities, Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto as well as some cool accommodation options further afield that are near some of the region’s less popular (but still awesome!) attractions. BUDGET Hotel Monterey Grasmere We love this hotel because of its super handy location. It’s right by Osaka’s Namba Station and a 10-minute walk from Dotonbori. We also thought the intentionally old-fashioned decor was super cute and loved how big the rooms were compared to the shoe-box-sized hotel rooms you usually get in Japan. TripAdvisor Booking.com MID-RANGE Matsubaya Ryokan We thought it was important to include a budget-friendly option in Kyoto for any backpackers traveling on pennies. It’s not everyone’s idea of fun, but we actually loved sleeping on the futon-on-tatami mats! The ryokan is also a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station, which is a major plus and makes it super easy to get around the city. TripAdvisor Booking.com GUEST HOUSE The Deer Park Inn If you’ve fallen in love with the bowing deer at the Nara Deer Park and you’re not ready to leave yet, book a night’s stay at this guesthouse in the park. It was so cool watching the deer roaming from our bedroom window and having a kitchen we could cook in was handy too. TripAdvisor Booking.com MID-RANGE Yunominesou If you’re in need of pampering, then stay at this gorgeous onsen hotel in the Wakayama Prefecture. It’s got a two-person onsen you can book exclusively for you and your partner, and it is surrounded by lush forest. The views from our bedroom window were enough to make us never want to leave! TripAdvisor Booking.com YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS Where To Stay In Kyoto, Japan - A Guide To The Best Hotels, Ryokans, And Neighborhoods Top Things To See In Kansai’s Major Cities There’s a lot to do and see in the Kansai region, so we’ve divided this part of the article into handy sections that will help you get your bearings. Hopefully, that will make this guide easier to follow and help you plan what you want to see better. With three of Japan’s major cities in its confines, Kansai is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a city break. We are, of course talking about Osaka , Kyoto , and Nara . Because there are so many awesome attractions and things to do in each, we think each one deserves its own section (and guides – which we have already written and will link throughout!). But there’s more to the Kansai region than just its most popular cities, so we’ve also come up with another section packed with lesser-known cities and nature spots you should add to your Kansai itinerary! Osaka: Visit Japan’s Futuristic Neighborhoods And Temples There’s more to do in Osaka than we could possibly fit in this chunk of text, which is why we wrote an entire guide – The Ultimate Osaka 4 Day Itinerary . If you’re inspired by the attractions below and you want to know more about Osaka, you should go check it out! We love Osaka because it has a bit of everything . It feels like a melting pot of Japan’s modern, electric streets, but still has a lot of its historical charm and loads of examples of ancient temples. You can be walking through a maze of neon billboards one minute and standing by one of Japan’s oldest temples the next. This is why we keep coming back to this awesome city in Kansai. YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS The Ultimate Osaka 4 Day Itiner