Things to Do in Kansai, Japan
Japan's cultural heart: Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, plus the pilgrim trails and islands of the Kii Peninsula.
361 destinations across 7 prefectures
Festivals in Kansai
Jidai Matsuri
22 October 2026
Kyoto · Float procession
Awaji Island Festival Fireworks
8 November 2026
Hyogo · Fireworks festival
Wakakusa Yamayaki
23 January 2027
Nara · Fire festival
© ignis / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Omizutori
1 to 14 March 2027
Nara · Fire festival
© J o / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Aoi Matsuri
15 May 2027
Kyoto · Float procession
© 江戸村のとくぞう / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Gion Matsuri
1 to 31 July 2027
Kyoto · Float procession
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
Tenjin Matsuri
24 to 25 July 2027
Osaka · Boat festival
Photo: Idushin at Japanese Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri
18 to 19 September 2027
Osaka · Float procession
© sailko / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nada Kenka Matsuri
14 to 15 October 2027
Hyogo · Float procession
Suggested Itineraries
Places to Visit in Kansai
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kofuku-ji
Nara's Five-Story Pagoda and National Treasure Hall
World Heritage temple with Japan's second-tallest wooden pagoda (50m). The National Treasure Hall...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
Sanjusangendo
Hall of 1,001 Statues of Kannon
120-meter-long hall with 1,001 life-size gilded Kannon statues standing in rows. Hard to process ...
© John Chang / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Katsura Imperial Villa
Japan's Finest Traditional Garden and Architectural Masterpiece
Widely regarded as Japan's supreme example of traditional garden design and architecture, built i...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
Namba Parks
Terraced Rooftop Garden Shopping Complex
A striking shopping complex built on a former baseball stadium site, featuring a terraced rooftop...
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Shrine of Ten Thousand Torii Gates
Thousands of vermilion torii gates wind up the forested slopes of Mount Inari, creating one of Ja...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
Kamigamo Shrine
Kyoto's Oldest Shrine with Sacred Sand Cone Mounds
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto's oldest Shinto shrines, founded in 678 AD, known f...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
Horyu-ji
The World's Oldest Wooden Buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important temples in Japan, Horyu-ji contains th...
© W236 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Spa World
World-Themed Hot Spring Complex in Shinsekai
A massive multi-story themed bath complex in Shinsekai featuring hot springs inspired by bathing ...
Universal Studios Japan
Hollywood Movie Theme Park
Major theme park featuring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and movie-t...
LaLaport EXPOCITY
Japan's Largest Shopping and Entertainment Complex Next to Expo Park
Japan's largest entertainment complex, combining over 300 shops with NIFREL aquarium, Japan's tal...
© Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
To-ji
Japan's Tallest Wooden Pagoda and Ancient Capital Landmark
A World Heritage Site founded in 796, home to Japan's tallest wooden pagoda at 55 meters and a be...
© Zeter114514 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Isonokami Shrine
One of Japan's Oldest Shrines with Legendary Sacred Sword
One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, mentioned in the nation's earliest chronicles, said to hous...
© Mc681 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Shinsaibashi-suji
Osaka's Premier Covered Shopping Arcade
A historic 600-meter covered shopping arcade stretching from Shinsaibashi to Namba with 380 years...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
Ohama Beach
Sumoto's White Sand Beach, One of Japan's 100 Best
A 750-meter white sand beach in Sumoto, recognized as one of Japan's top beaches by the Ministry ...
Togetsukyo Bridge
Wooden Bridge Over the Katsura River
A bridge has crossed here since 836, when a monk of Horin-ji built the first one a little upstrea...