I can’t keep in mind after I first heard the time period “Kansai,” however it was early on in my Japan journey. It was no sooner than 2016, after I requested my information (I used to be on a press journey, and so I had one) a query about Kansai versus Kanto, the latter being the area that incorporates Tokyo.
“Sai means west, and tō means east,” I proudly confirmed off my extraordinarily fundamental Japanese expertise. “However what does kan imply?” I observed the kanji for it (関) form of make it seem like a door or a gate, although I wasn’t positive.
The excellent news? My speculation was principally proper, even when the information in query was a jerk and appeared disinterested in my observe up questions—I imply, which “gate” was it anyway? The higher information is that I’ve been perfecting my Kansai itinerary for effectively over a decade, permitting you to soak up years of data in mere minutes.
Is Kansai Japan’s Greatest Area for Vacationers?
I may write a whole e-book about issues to do in Kansai—which, come to consider it, may not be a nasty concept. However I digress. The fact is that so lots of the most iconic locations and experiences of Japan are in Kansai, whether or not you wish to see Geisha wandering by the centuries-old streets of Kyoto, eat melt-in-your-mouth wa-gyū in Kobe or attempt to coax a maybe-friendly deer into bowing for you in Nara.
This additionally introduces a sensible benefit. Specifically, that having a lot of what most individuals wish to see and do throughout the similar geographical space makes it a really enticing as a base, and drastically simplifies the logistics of exploring Japan, which has a status (a considerably unfair one, I’d argue) of being cumbersome. And so to reply my very own query very succinctly: Sure, I do assume Kansai is the very best of Japan’s areas for many vacationers.
The place to Go in Kansai
Kyoto
Kyoto is (for my part) an important metropolis in Japan, which is why I feel it deserves prime Kansai journey billing. It’s additionally loads bigger and extra various than its more and more crowded metropolis heart. I nonetheless assume these areas (from lush Arashiyama and its bamboo forest, to the Geisha-filled streets of Gion) are value visiting, however you would simply as simply go off on the crushed path at Kifune-jinja shrine or in Kyotango, aka “Kyoto by the Sea.”
Osaka
I certified the Kyoto part of this web page as a result of given how a lot of what to do in Kansai is throughout the metropolis limits of Osaka, I didn’t need it to look like I used to be snubbing the latter. On the similar time, for first-time Japan vacationers particularly, Osaka can appear redundant after Kyoto, even when this isn’t actually true. Amongst different issues I really like about Osaka, its Dotonbori and Shinsekai areas are a few of Japan’s greatest avenue meals spots, and its annual Tenjin Matsuri is one in all Japan’s best summer time festivals to attend.
Nara
It could be disingenuous to say that Nara (whose city deer are most likely among the many most well-known animals on the earth) is off Japan’s crushed path. With this being mentioned, there are various methods to discover Nara that get previous the clichés, the primary of which is staying right here in a single day—you’ll be shocked how rapidly the vacationers filter out. Furthermore, rural Nara prefecture is house to Mt. Yoshino, the deserving namesake of Japan’s most well-known cherry blossom species.
Hyogo (Kobe, Himeji and Awaji Island)
Over time, I’ve come to consider that no Kansai journey is full with out a go to to Hyogo prefecture—a conclusion I’ve reached, unsurprisingly, as I’ve gotten to know Hyogo extra deeply. Some locations and experiences listed below are apparent, comparable to Himeji Fortress (the debatable better of Japan’s 12 unique castles) to Kobe, the nation’s hub for superb beef. Nonetheless, Hyogo-ken can also be house to the attention-grabbing Uo-no-tana Fish Market (one in all Japan’s most native such sights) and to Awaji Island, a spot nearly no overseas vacationer goes (however is oddly the place a lot of the the cows related to “Kobe” really stay).
Wakayama
Wakayama is a prefecture I like greater than the extra I go to it. Right here, two fundamental sights—sacred Mt. Koya and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route—occupy the time and a spotlight of most guests. Nonetheless, Wakayama-ken can also be house to among the most lovely seashores in mainland Japan (specifically, Shirarahama Seashore in Shirahama), to say nothing of the world’s usually relaxed, native vibe.
Shiga (Lake Biwa)
Like Wakayama, Shiga isn’t a spot many vacationers instantly add to their Kansai journey itinerary. That is unusual in a single sense—it’s actually proper subsequent door to Kyoto, and may even be accessed by the Kyoto Metropolis Subway, but additionally isn’t shocking. If you happen to do make it right here, most sights are proper on Lake Biwa, from castles in Hikone and Nagahama, to the Omi-hachiman Samurai district, to the “floating” torii of Shirahige Shrine.
Mie
Let’s be clear: You don’t must lease a automobile and take a Kansai highway journey with a view to benefit from the majesty of underrated Mie prefecture. Nonetheless, it may make your life loads simpler, whether or not you propose to see how the meat in Matsusaka compares to that in Kobe, watch ama dive at Mikimoto Pearl Island in Toba or watch sundown behind the “wedded rocks” of Meoto Iwa in Ise, which is in fact additionally house to the essential Ise Grand Shrine.
How Lengthy Do You Want in Kansai?
There’s an argument to be made that when planning the proper Kansai itinerary, 10 days is the best period of time to spend. This enables you a few days every in central Kyoto and Osaka, plus day journeys to right away peripheral prefectures like Hyogo, Shiga and Nara, and even perhaps a while in Wakayama or Mie, relying upon the way you play your playing cards. After all, most vacationers spend two weeks in Japan or much less, which implies that isn’t universally sensible.
A extra life like body for a Kansai area itinerary? Properly, if it’s your first journey, determine between Kyoto or Osaka as a base, and spend 3-4 days there. It will help you take day journeys to Nara, Himeji Fortress and Kobe, in addition to to go to whichever metropolis you aren’t staying in (Kyoto when you’re in Osaka, or Osaka when you aren’t in Kyoto) for a half or full day as effectively. Conversely, when you’re coming again to Japan for a second (or sixth!) journey, spend 3-5 days exploring Kansai off the crushed path.
Different FAQ About Visiting Japan’s Kansai Area
Is Japan’s Kansai area value visiting?
Japan’s Kansai area will not be solely value visiting, however I’d say it’s probably the most rewarding area of Japan to discover, actually for first-time guests. It’s house not solely to core locations like Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, but additionally to the culinary hub of Kobe, superlative Himeji Fortress and Wakayama’s Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.
The place is Japan’s Kansai area?
Japan’s Kansai area is colloquially often known as “western Japan” amongst Japanese individuals, however when you take a look at a map of the nation, is simply west of the geographical heart of the nation. Logistically, you entry it by driving a Shinkansen bullet prepare between 2-3 hours west of Tokyo, both to Kyoto Station or Shin-Osaka Station.
How lengthy do I want in Kyoto and Osaka?
I like to recommend that you simply spend a minimal of 3-4 nights in Kyoto and/or Osaka. It will permit you each to discover the facilities of those iconic, must-visit cities, and likewise to take day journeys to close by locations. These embrace Nara (house to deer and historical wood constructions), Himeji Fortress, holy Mt. Koya and dramatic, deep Lake Biwa.
The Backside Line
My Kansai itinerary—or a minimum of, this model of it—has greater than 12 years of data and insights baked in. From my earliest stumbles alongside the streets of Kyoto and Osaka, to deeper dives into Hyogo and Nara prefectures, to going far off the crushed path in Mie, Wakayama and Shiga, this Kansai journey information is as appropriate for first-time guests as it’s for skilled Japan vacationers who need assistance peeling again that final layer. Amongst my many objectives in persevering with to increase and refine this web page, I hope you now see why Kansai has constantly ranked about my favourite areas of Japan. Want personalised assist incorporating Kansai into your journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary at present!