Discover Japan's Rich Heritage
A region on the western side of the main island of Honshu, Kansai is Japan's spiritual and cultural capital, shaped by towering Osaka and Himeji castles, Zen gardens and arduous journeys to enlightenment. For centuries, Kansai has been the cultural heartland of Japan. The nation's ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara are filled with cultural and historical sites, while Koyasan in Wakayama has been a religious destination for centuries. Just a short distance away, you can revel in the raucous nightlife of Osaka's entertainment districts and take in panoramic views of the Kobe cityscape.
Kansai is where you’ll find the traditional Japan of your imagination; winding cobbled streets lined with dark wooden houses, the sound of distant gongs in the mountains and the smell of incense in the rain. Also known as the Kinki Region, Kansai is sometimes seen as the more quirky counter to its eastern neighbor, Kanto. Kansai people are known for their humor and love of food. They also speak a distinct dialect known as ‘Kansai-ben’.
Kansai is where you’ll find the traditional Japan of your imagination; winding cobbled streets lined with dark wooden houses, the sound of distant gongs in the mountains and the smell of incense in the rain. Also known as the Kinki Region, Kansai is sometimes seen as the more quirky counter to its eastern neighbor, Kanto. Kansai people are known for their humor and love of food. They also speak a distinct dialect known as ‘Kansai-ben’.
Explore
Regions of Kansai
Regions of Kansai
Ideas
for Your Kansai Trip
for Your Kansai Trip
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