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.

Culture, Japan, Kansai, Kyoto

Gion

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

Japan, Kansai

Arashiyama

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

Japan, Kansai, Osaka

Osaka

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

Scroll to Top