Kansai
The Kansai region (関西地方, Kansai-chihō) or the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō) lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Sometimes Fukui, Tokushima and Mie are also included. While the use of the terms "Kansai" and "Kinki" have changed over history, in most modern contexts the two can be considered the same.
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Geography
Climate
Economy
Prefectures
Major cities and towns
Hikone - castle and garden town off the beaten track
Himeji - small city famed for its beautiful castle
Ise - home to the eponymous Ise Shrine, the holiest in all Japan
Kobe - maritime city known for its beef and Japan's oldest Chinatown
Kyoto - Japan's ancient capital, with temples and geisha
Nara - an even more ancient capital (than Kyoto) centered around a beautiful park
Osaka - mega-world city famed for its food and nightlife is the principal city of Kansai region
Sakai - large city due south of Osaka city
Takarazuka - Famous for its all women theater
Other destinations
Things to do
With its political and geographical significance in the history of Japan, the region of Kansai possesses three quarters of Japan's "National Treasure" buildings, half of its "National Treasure" artworks, as well as five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it an unmatched destination for heritage tourists to Japan.
Arima Onsen - historic hot spring town just across the hill from Kobe
Horyuji - temple complex housing some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world
Lake Biwa - the largest lake in Japan and nice for a quick break
Mount Hiei - headquarters of Tendai and protector of Kyoto
Mount Koya - mountaintop headquarters of the Buddhist Shingon sect
Specialties
Differences between Kansai and Kanto (the eastern region dominated by Tokyo) are slight but numerous. Kansai people speak a distinctive dialect of Japanese, use lighter-colored soy in their cooking, ride on the other side of escalators and are renowned for humor and their love of food.
Kansai is sake country, with Nada (in Kobe) and Fushimi (in Kyoto) alone accounting for 45% of the country's production. Kobe in particular is a good place to tour sake breweries, many of which are open to visitors.
Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Mahoroba Pickles, Kobe Beef,
Places to stay
Seaside Hotel Parco
Port Shine Hotel
Maizuru Grand Hotel
Green Hotel
The Westin Osaka
Rihga Grand Hotel
Nankai South Tower Hotel Osaka
Hotel New Otani Osaka
Hotel Seagull Tempo-zan Osaka
Regal Royal Hotel Sakai
Hotel Sun Route Sakai
Wakayama Tokyu Inn
Wakayama Fuji Hotel
Getting in
Kansai International Airport
Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen
Getting around
JR
Midosuji-sen subway line
Nankai Dentetsu
city cable car (Hankai Denki)
See also
Links
VisitKansai travel guide Kansai travel guide from Wikitravel
Some content adapted from Wikipedia.org.
