Great Wide Open Travel guides and transformative journeys

Kansai

The region of Kansai. Japan’s cultural heartland. Kyoto holds the greatest concentration of temples, gardens and geisha districts; Nara its ancient Great Buddha and tame deer; Osaka the country’s most exuberant food scene; and Himeji its finest original castle.

Japan, Kansai, market, Osaka

Kuromon Ichiba Market

By Andrew / July 3, 2026

Home Kuromon Ichiba Market Kuromon Ichiba is a covered market street about six hundred metres long, running north from near

Culture, Japan, Kansai, Osaka

Osaka Castle

By Andrew / July 3, 2026

Home Osaka Castle Rising above its broad moats and massive stone walls, Osaka Castle is the city’s great historical landmark

Japan, Kansai, Nightlife, Osaka

Dōtonbori

By Andrew / July 3, 2026

Home Dōtonbori Dōtonbori is the canal-side strip that most people picture when they picture Osaka: a black ribbon of water,

accommodation, Japan, Kansai, Kyoto

Where to stay in Kyoto

By Andrew / July 3, 2026

Home Where to stay in Kyoto Kyoto rewards a well-chosen base more than almost any city in Japan. The former

Culture, Japan, Kansai, Kyoto

Gion

By Andrew / June 29, 2026

Home Gion Gion at a glance Best forKyoto’s geisha district — machiya lanes at dusk Time needed1–2 hours, best in

Japan, Kansai

Arashiyama

By Andrew / June 29, 2026

Home Arashiyama Arashiyama at a glance Best forThe bamboo grove, the river and temples west of the city Time neededHalf

Culture, Japan, Kansai, Kyoto, Temple

Kinkaku-ji

By Andrew / June 29, 2026

Home Kinkaku-ji — The Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji at a glance Best forThe gold-leaf pavilion mirrored in its pond Time needed45–60

Culture, Japan, Kansai, Kyoto, Shrine

Fushimi Inari Taisha

By Andrew / June 29, 2026

Home Fushimi Inari Taisha Fushimi Inari Taisha at a glance Best forThousands of vermilion torii up a sacred hill Time

Japan, Kansai, Osaka

Osaka

By Andrew / June 22, 2026

Home Osaka Neon Nights, Aromatic Streets If Kyoto is Japan’s refined cultural soul, Osaka is its big, brash, warm-hearted stomach.