There are many sightseeing spots in Kansai! Recommended spots for sightseeing and experience

The Kansai area is the entrance to western Japan and has no shortage of tourist attractions. It is also a region visited by many tourists not only from Japan but also from overseas.

Here, we explain the outline of the Kansai area and recommended sightseeing spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, which are the major cities of Kansai, Nara and Wakayama. We introduce various attractions in Kansai, from temples and shrines to theme parks, so please use this as a reference when traveling in the Kansai area.

What prefecture is "Kansai" mainly? What can you enjoy?

First of all, I will introduce basic information about 2 prefectures and 4 prefectures in the Kansai area.

Osaka

Located in the center of Kansai, Osaka is the third largest city in Japan after Tokyo and Kanagawa, with a population of 8.82 million. Downtown areas such as Umeda, Namba, and Tennoji are scattered throughout Osaka City, and it is also known that there are many ancient burial mounds outside Osaka City. It was registered as a World Heritage Site. It is also called "Cui-daore Town" and is famous for its cheap and delicious gourmet food.

Kyoto

Kyoto Prefecture, with a total population of about 2.6 million, once prospered as the capital of Japan. Therefore, there are many world-famous shrines and temples such as Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera and World Heritage Sites in Kyoto City, and almost half of Kyoto's population is concentrated in Kyoto City. It is also an area filled with the image of Japan that foreigners have, such as Gion Maiko and Kyoto cuisine.

Hyogo prefecture

Hyogo Prefecture, located on the west side of Kansai, is the largest prefecture in Kansai with a population of about 5.5 million. Kobe, where the prefectural office is located, has a foreigner's house and Chinatown, and has the characteristics of a bay area similar to Yokohama.

Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture, with a population of about 1.33 million, is famous as an ancient city that prospered during the Asuka and Nara eras. In addition to various nature such as basins and mountains, Yamato River and Yoshino River, famous temples and shrines such as Horyuji Temple and Todaiji Temple, Nara Park with many deer is known as a tourist spot.

Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture is an inland prefecture with a population of about 1.4 million and is known as the prefecture where Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, is located. In addition to enjoying outdoor activities such as water bikes and fishing around Lake Biwa, cultural assets such as Enryakuji Temple and Hikone Castle are also one of the highlights.

Wakayama Prefecture

Wakayama Prefecture, with a population of about 930,000, is a region where you can enjoy the nature of both the sea and mountains, and is also known as one of the best hot spring spots in the Kansai region. In addition to leisure facilities such as Adventure World and Marina City, it is also famous for producing oranges and plums.

What kind of sightseeing spots can you see in Kansai?

Next, I will introduce some sightseeing spots in Kansai that you can visit and enjoy "seeing".

Shrine

Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its Senbon Torii, and Shimogamo Shrine, a World Heritage Site, are famous in Kyoto, and Sumiyoshi Taisha, nicknamed "Sumiyo-san," is famous in Osaka. Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara is also registered as a World Heritage Site.

Temple

Both "Kiyomizu-dera" in Kyoto and "Todaiji" in Nara are registered as World Heritage Sites and are famous temples that are also the setting for literary works. Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei in Shiga Prefecture is also one of the World Heritage Sites. The buildings from the 14th to 17th centuries still remain.

[If you read the article, may you know the meaning of this KARUTA? ]

Castle

"Himeji Castle" in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture is white and beautiful, and is registered as a World Heritage Site. "Osaka Castle" in Osaka City has a park nearby, giving it an atmosphere of an urban oasis. "Hikone Castle" in Shiga Prefecture, where the mascot of "Hikonyan" is cute, is also a national treasure-class castle.

Other

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge that connects Kobe and Awaji, and Nachi Falls, Wakayama Prefecture, which boasts the largest amount of water and height in Japan, are recommended when you want to feel the magnificent scale of nature. The bamboo grove in "Arashiyama" in Kyoto and "Nara Park" where you can meet deer are also spots where you can enjoy nature.

What kind of things can you experience at recommended sightseeing spots in Kansai?

Finally, let's introduce the sightseeing spots in Kansai where you can enjoy visiting and "experiencing".

Theme park

Speaking of Kansai theme parks, "USJ (Universal Studios Japan)" where you can experience the world of Hollywood movies in Osaka is famous, but "Adventure World" in Wakayama where you can enjoy dolphin live performances and "Himeji Central Park" where you can do safari tours. Is also recommended.

[Do you care about Japan? Would you like to learn Japanese together? ]

Sightseeing train

At Kyoto's "Sagano Torokko Train", you can enjoy the nature of Kyoto from fresh green to autumn leaves. At "Panda Kuroshio," which connects Kyoto and Wakayama, the head of the train that imitates the face of a panda and the cute seat cover are perfect for taking a commemorative photo. Between Maibara and Kinomoto in Shiga Prefecture, the "SL Kita-Biwako", which allows you to take pictures of the old steam locomotives, runs and is popular with railroad enthusiasts.

Gourmet

Kansai's gourmet spots include "Kobe Nankinmachi" where you can enjoy authentic Chinese food, "Nishiki Market" called "Kyoto's Kitchen", "Toretore Market" where you can enjoy seafood from Wakayama at a reasonable price, and Osaka Naniwa no Kuidaore area "Doutonbori". "And so on.

Summary

In addition to the ones listed here, the Kansai area is full of attractions, sightseeing spots, and recommended gourmet foods. Not only Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, but also Nara, Shiga and Wakayama are dotted with abundant nature and national treasure-class temples and shrines. Whether you're visiting a theme park or going out on a sightseeing train, why not plan your own Kansai travel plan?

This article is a partial re-edit of the article published in Nihongo Biyori by KARUTA.
Unauthorized reproduction or use of the contents, text, images, illustrations, etc. of this site is strictly prohibited.