Things to Do in Kansai, Japan
Japan's cultural heart: Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, plus the pilgrim trails and islands of the Kii Peninsula.
372 destinations across 7 prefectures
Festivals in Kansai
Awaji Island Festival Fireworks
8 November 2026
Hyogo · Fireworks festival
Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri
15 to 18 December 2026
Nara · Float procession
Toka Ebisu at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
9 to 11 January 2027
Osaka · Festival
Wakakusa Yamayaki
23 January 2027
Nara · Fire festival
Kobe Luminarie
29 January 2027 to 7 February 2027
Hyogo · Lantern 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
Kyoto Gozan Okuribi
16 August 2027
Kyoto · Fire 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
Jidai Matsuri
22 October 2027
Kyoto · Float procession
Suggested Itineraries
Places to Visit in Kansai
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of World's Largest Aquariums
One of the world's largest aquariums featuring a massive Pacific Ocean tank with whale sharks and...
© 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 ...
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...
Jinrui Mina Menrui
One of Osaka's Most Famous and Best Ramen Restaurants
A legendary Osaka ramen shop offering multiple dashi-based ramen styles, crowned with thick-cut c...
© 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...
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...
© 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...
© 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)
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...
© KimonBerlin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Philosopher's Path
A serene canal-side walking path in Kyoto lined with cherry trees, connecting Ginkaku-ji and Nanz...
Universal Studios Japan
Hollywood Movie Theme Park
Major theme park featuring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and movie-t...
© 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...
Tonomine Highlands
A Vast Silver Sea of Pampas Grass and Famous Film Location
An 800-metre-high plateau in inland Hyogo covered by roughly 90 hectares of silver susuki pampas ...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
Gion
Kyoto's most famous geisha district with traditional wooden machiya townhouses and atmospheric te...