Kansai is Japan's cultural and culinary heartland, encompassing Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, and Himeji. The region served as the imperial capital for over a millennium, producing a legacy of temples, shrines, and traditional arts unmatched anywhere in Japan. Osaka's street food scene, Kyoto's 2,000-plus temples, and Kobe's cosmopolitan waterfront make Kansai the country's most diverse and rewarding destination.
Historical sites
Places where Kansai's past comes alive.
Edo Period (1618)
Himeji Castle
Nara Period (752 CE)
Todai-ji Temple
Edo Period (1603)
Nijo Castle
Heian Period (1052)
Byodo-in Temple
Nara Period (768 CE)