Things to Do in Kansai, Japan
Japan's cultural heart: Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, plus the pilgrim trails and islands of the Kii Peninsula.
239 destinations across 7 prefectures
Festivals in Kansai
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Nada Kenka Matsuri
14 to 15 October 2026
Hyogo · Float procession
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
Suggested Itineraries
Places to Visit in Kansai
Shugakuin Imperial Villa
An Imperial Garden Masterpiece with Sweeping Mountain Views
Built in the 1650s by retired Emperor Go-Mizunoo. Three terraced gardens using the Higashiyama mo...
Genkyu-en
Feudal-Lord Garden Beside Hikone Castle
A Japanese pond garden northeast of Hikone Castle, built for the Ii lords and designated a nation...
Miidera Temple
Perched on the slopes of Mount Hiei overlooking the blue waters of Lake Biwa, Miidera Temple has ...
Mount Wakakusa
Grassy Hill Above Nara Park with City Views
A 342-metre grass-covered hill at the eastern edge of Nara Park, known for its wide views over th...
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...
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...
La Collina Omihachiman
Architecture melts into nature at this confectionery village where grass-covered rooftops and org...
Hasedera
Mountain Temple Famous for Peonies
The head temple of the Shingon Buzan school, set on a hillside in Sakurai and known for its cover...
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
Vermilion Grand Shrine at the Mouth of the Kumano River
The third of the three Kumano Grand Shrines, known for its striking vermilion buildings and an 80...
Metasequoia Namiki
Tree-Lined Avenue of About 500 Metasequoias in Makino
A roughly 2.4 km avenue lined with about 500 metasequoia trees leading toward Makino Highland.
Omiwa Shrine
Ancient Shrine that Worships Mount Miwa Itself
One of Japan's oldest shrines, which has no main sanctuary because Mount Miwa behind it is worshi...
Adventure World
Shirahama's Premier Safari Park and Marine World
A sprawling safari park, zoo, and marine park in Shirahama combining wildlife encounters with amu...
Hashigui-iwa
Mysterious Row of Rock Pillars Stretching Into the Sea
A striking natural monument of roughly 40 rock pillars stretching 850 meters into the sea near Ku...
Kaizu-Osaki
Cherry-Blossom Coastline on Northern Lake Biwa
A rocky cape at the northern end of Lake Biwa where about 800 cherry trees line roughly 4 km of s...
Suzuka Circuit
Motorsport Circuit and Theme Park Hosting the F1 Japanese Grand Prix
A motorsport circuit in Suzuka that hosts the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, with an attached amu...