Things to Do in Kansai, Japan

Japan's cultural heart: Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, plus the pilgrim trails and islands of the Kii Peninsula.

233 destinations across 7 prefectures

Suggested Itineraries

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Awaji Island and Nushima: An Off-the-Beaten-Path Itinerary (2026)

Awaji Island and Nushima: An Off-the-Beaten-Path Itinerary (2026) Awaji Island sits in the sea between Kobe and Shikoku, crossed by most people at 100km/h on the highway bus and seen by almost n...
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Hyogo's Hidden North: A San'in-Side Off-the-Beaten-Path Itinerary (2026)

Hyogo's Hidden North: A San'in-Side Off-the-Beaten-Path Itinerary (2026) Almost everyone who comes to Hyogo sees Himeji Castle and Kobe and goes no further. Head north from Himeji, though, and t...
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Lake Biwa and Hidden Shiga: An Off-the-Beaten-Path Itinerary (2026)

Lake Biwa and Hidden Shiga: An Off-the-Beaten-Path Itinerary (2026) Shiga sits right next to Kyoto, barely fifteen minutes by train, yet almost no visitors stop. That is their loss. Wrapped arou...
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Off the Beaten Path in the Kii Peninsula: A Kumano Kodo Itinerary (2026)

Off the Beaten Path in the Kii Peninsula: A Kumano Kodo Itinerary (2026) Most first trips to Kansai never leave the Kyoto to Osaka to Nara triangle. The Kii Peninsula, the big forested block of ...
The Weirdest and Most Exciting Soft Serves in Kansai

The Weirdest and Most Exciting Soft Serves in Kansai

The Weirdest and Most Exciting Soft Serves in Kansai Soft serve is a road-trip institution in Japan, and the best place to find it is a michi-no-eki, the roadside stations that double as farm ma...
When Do Japan's Beaches Open in 2026? Swimming Season Dates by Region

When Do Japan's Beaches Open in 2026? Swimming Season Dates by Region

When Do Japan's Beaches Open in 2026? Swimming Season Dates by Region Most Japanese beaches are only open for swimming during a fixed season. A beach holds an "umibiraki" (海開き), the official ope...
How to Get from Kansai Airport to Umeda (Osaka) by Train – 2026 Guide

How to Get from Kansai Airport to Umeda (Osaka) by Train – 2026 Guide

Traveling from Kansai International Airport to the Umeda area of Osaka is simple and convenient. One of the easiest options is to take the Haruka Limited Express and get off at Osaka Station. The ...
The Easiest Way to Travel from KIX to Kobe, Sannomiya (2026 Guide)

The Easiest Way to Travel from KIX to Kobe, Sannomiya (2026 Guide)

Traveling from Kansai International Airport to Sannomiya Station in Kobe is easy and comfortable using the Airport Limousine Bus that is operated by Hankyu. The bus goes directly from the airport t...
The Fastest and Easiest Way to Kyoto From Kansai International Airport (2026 Guide)

The Fastest and Easiest Way to Kyoto From Kansai International Airport (2026 Guide)

Traveling from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto is simple and convenient. The most direct option is the Haruka Limited Express, which connects the airport directly to Kyoto Station in about 75...

Places to Visit in Kansai

Garden
Hyogo

Awaji Yumebutai

Tadao Ando Concrete Complex with a Terraced Garden

An architectural complex on Awaji Island designed by Tadao Ando, with the terraced Hyakudanen gar...

Awaji, Hyogo, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

Gio-ji

A Tiny Moss-Carpeted Temple Steeped in Tragic Romance

A small thatched-roof temple blanketed in luminous green moss, linked to a tragic love story from...

Kyoto, Japan
Shrine
Shiga

Omi Jingu

Otsu Shrine Tied to Emperor Tenji and Competitive Karuta

A Shinto shrine in Otsu dedicated to Emperor Tenji, widely known as a centre of competitive karuta.

Otsu, Shiga, Japan
Shrine
Osaka

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

Shrine to the God of Learning and Host of the Tenjin Matsuri

A shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning, and the site of the Tenjin Ma...

Osaka, Japan
Attraction
Wakayama

Kumano Kodo

Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails

UNESCO-listed ancient pilgrimage trails through sacred mountains, linking grand shrines of the Ki...

Tanabe, Wakayama, Japan
Park
Nara

Soni Kogen

Highland Plateau of Silver Pampas Grass

A grassland plateau of about 38 hectares at the foot of Mount Kururuso, covered in pampas grass t...

Soni, Nara, Japan
Temple
Hyogo

Engyo-ji Temple

Ancient Mountain Temple from The Last Samurai

A sprawling 1000-year-old temple complex atop Mount Shosha, famous as a filming location for 'The...

Himeji, Hyogo, Japan
Historic Site
Kyoto

Ine

Ine - The Venice of Japan

The 'Venice of Japan', a fishing village with 230 traditional funaya boat houses lining a tranqui...

Kyoto, Japan
Shrine
Shiga

Shirahige Shrine

Ancient Shrine with a Torii Gate Standing in Lake Biwa

The head of the Shirahige shrines, known for a red torii gate that stands in the water of Lake Bi...

Takashima, Shiga, Japan
Temple
Nara

Tsubosakadera

Temple of Large Stone Buddhas Linked to Eye Ailments

A Shingon temple in Takatori, the sixth stop of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage, known for a Kannon...

Takatori, Nara, Japan
Mountain
Hyogo

Mount Maya Kikuseidai

Mountaintop Viewpoint with One of Japan's Three Great Night Views

An observation plaza near the summit of Mount Maya, reached by cable car and ropeway, known for i...

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Amusement Park
Mie

Nagashima Spa Land

Large Amusement Park with the Steel Dragon 2000 Coaster

A large amusement park in Kuwana, part of the Nagashima Resort, home to the Steel Dragon 2000 rol...

Kuwana, Mie, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

Nanzen-ji

Nanzen-ji Temple

Highest-ranked Rinzai Zen temple in Kyoto. The 22-meter sanmon gate has city views from the top. ...

Kyoto, Japan
Shrine
Shiga

Taga Taisha

Major Shinto Shrine Honouring Izanagi and Izanami

One of Shiga's principal shrines, dedicated to Izanagi and Izanami and popularly called Ota-ga-san.

Taga, Shiga, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

Tofuku-ji

Kyoto's Supreme Autumn Foliage Temple

One of Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples. Best autumn foliage in the city. The view from Tsutenkyo B...

Kyoto, Japan

Prefectures in Kansai

Hyogo Kyoto Mie Nara Osaka Shiga Wakayama
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