I lived in the Kansai region for over half a year - here are my top recommendations for travellers. Kansai includes major cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe as well as smaller cities such as Nara, Uji, and Himeji.
Sections
6
Kobe
Osaka
Kyoto
Nara
Uji
Himeji
Kobe
神戸
Kobe's Chinatown - cheap and delcious food. I particularly recommend Nankinmachi at night when it is illuminated!
Nankinmachi
Home to the harbour and port tour - I recommend the night cruises
Kobe Harborland
The oldest mosque in Japan, a credit to religious harmony, is about a two-minute walk from a Catholic Church and a large temple.
Kobe Muslim Mosque
Major shopping area with great places to eat. For cheap nail services I recommend the store ‘G NAIL KOBE’
Sannomiya
Onsen village outside of Kobe city centre with many delicous food shops and stalls
Arima Onsen
Mountain in Kobe, hiking trails and a cable car + botanical gardens
Mt.Rokko
Osaka
大阪
Probably the most iconic attraction in Osaka, especially electric at night and where you will find the glico man
Dotonbori
Osaka's Koreatown, particualrly interesting if you know its history
Korea Town (Tsuruhashi)
A classic Osaka must-do. I recommend the Hollywood Dream ride and the Harry Potter section of the park in particular.
Universal Studios Japan
Vibrant shopping district - connected to Dontonbori
Shinsaibashi-suji
Somewhat of an iffy place for Japanese standards, but a retro area that is nice to visit at night for the lights
Shinsekai
While perhaps not the most impressive castle in Japan it definetly deserves a viewing
Osaka Castle
Kyoto
京都
Beautiful temple, lovely in all seasons. Beautiful and vibrant street leading to the temple (Kiyomizu-zaka), from which you can also see nice views
Kiyomizu-dera
Kyoto iconic shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Gorgeous golden temple
Kinkaku-ji
Historical geisha district including Yasaka Shrine and Chionin Temple - must visit and especially interesting if you know its history
Gion
Gorgeous bamboo forest
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Brilliant place for food - especially sashimi
Nishiki Market
Nara
奈良
The best place to see the iconic deer in Nara - recommend to buy biscuits for them to eat
Nara Park
Another Nara must do - deer also roam the temple
Todaiji Temple
Charming shrine just out of Nara - not busy at all
Ikoma Shrine
Uji
宇治
Large and beautiful temple complex at the heart of Uji
Byōdo-in Temple
Lovely views and a great place to sit
Uji River
Walking street with plenty of souvenir shops and cafes. a great place to try the iconic uji matcha!
Byodo-in Omotesando
Uji is the home of matcha - classic matcha, matcha lates, matcha sweets and all sorts of creative uses such as matcha soba!
Uji Matcha
Himeji
姫路
In my opinion, Himeji Castle is the most beautiful castle in Japan - it is white and gorgeous. I definitely recommend going inside the castle and around the whole complex!
