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
Places to Visit in Kansai
Arima Onsen
One of Japan's Oldest and Most Famous Hot Springs
One of Japan's three oldest hot spring towns, renowned for its iron-rich golden waters and radium...
Nada Kuroiwa Suisenkyo
Cliffside Slope of Five Million Wild Narcissus by the Sea
A steep seaside slope on southern Awaji Island carpeted with around five million wild narcissus t...
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
1,200 Whimsical Stone Buddhas Hidden in the Arashiyama Hills
At the far end of Arashiyama's tourist trail, this temple surprises visitors with over 1,200 whim...
Shimogamo Shrine
Ancient World Heritage Shrine in a Primeval Forest
One of Kyoto's oldest shrines (UNESCO World Heritage), located within the Tadasu no Mori primeval...
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine
One of Japan's oldest shrines, dating to the 3rd century. The Sumiyoshi-zukuri buildings predate ...
Chion-in
Monumental Head Temple of Pure Land Buddhism
The head temple of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism, featuring Japan's largest temple gate at 24 meters ...
Eikan-do
The Temple of Autumn Leaves with a Looking-Back Buddha
Celebrated as the premier autumn foliage temple in Kyoto, housing a uniquely expressive Amida Bud...
Heian Shrine
Meiji-Era Shrine with Large Torii and Strolling Garden
A striking Meiji-era shrine featuring one of Japan's largest vermilion torii gates and a celebrat...
Nishiki Market
Kyoto's Kitchen
A narrow five-block shopping street with over 100 shops and restaurants, known as 'Kyoto's Kitche...
Kumano Hongu Taisha
Head Shrine of 3,000 Kumano Shrines and Pilgrimage Endpoint
The head shrine of over 3,000 Kumano shrines across Japan, serving as the spiritual endpoint of t...
Dotonbori
Osaka's Neon-Lit Food Street
Osaka's neon-drenched heart, where the Glico Running Man has watched over the Dotonbori canal sin...
Kimono Forest
An Art Installation of 600 Illuminated Kimono Pillars
600 pillars wrapped in Kyo-Yuzen fabric at Randen Arashiyama Station. Glows at night. Free, open ...
Todai-ji
Todai-ji Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage temple housing the world's largest bronze Buddha statue inside the larges...
Kobe Harborland
Waterfront Shopping and Entertainment District on Kobe Port
A redeveloped waterfront district on Kobe Port with the Umie shopping mall, the Mosaic complex, a...
Kifune
Mountain Village Famous for a Water Shrine and Riverside Dining
A scenic mountain village north of Kyoto famous for Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the water deity, ...